| Kerio River | |
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Kerio River flowing after heavy spring rainstorms in the area |
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River course |
The Kerio River is a river in Rift Valley Province, Kenya. It flows northward into Lake Turkana. It is one of the longest rivers in Kenya, originating near the equator.
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The Kerio River rises on the north slopes of the Amasya Hills to the west of Lake Bogoria.[1] It flows northward through the Kerio Valley between Tugen Hills and Elgeyo Escarpment. The Elgeyo Escarpment rises to over 1,830 metres (6,000 ft) above the Kerio valley in places.[2] The Kerio continues northward, often through deep and narrow valleys, to enter Lake Turkana in a delta just south of the delta formed by the Turkwel and Lokichar rivers. The Kerio and Turkwell contribute 98% of the river water flowing into Lake Turnana. In their lower courses both these rivers are seasonal.[1]
The Lake Kamnarok National Reserve and Kerio Valley National Reserve lie on the east and west sides of the Kerio River in the upper valley. They are undeveloped, but have abundant birdlife and are known for their scenery.[3] The left bank of a 25 kilometres (16 mi) section of the river is in the South Turkana National Reserve.[4]
In 1999 there were allegations that Fluorspar Mines was dumping toxic waste into the river. These were denied by the responsible Minister for Mineral Exploration.[5] The main locations in Turkana District for irrigated agriculture are along the Turkwel and Kerio rivers. The Lotubai and Morulem irrigation schemes are on the Kerio. The main crops are maize and sorghum, which accout for 80% of irrigated crops, as well as green grams, cowpeas, bananas, mangoes, oranges and guavas.[6]
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