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Lodwar, Kenya

Turkana County · Kenya

Lodwar is a mid-size city in Turkana County, Kenya with a population of 82,970. Elevation: 1,640 ft (500 m). Average temperature: 85°F (29°C).

Data updated June 2026

82,970 Population 26/sq mi density
1,640 ft Elevation 500 meters
85°F Avg Temperature 29°C
9.5 in Annual Rain
Africa / Nairobi Timezone

Discover Lodwar, Kenya

Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
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Full City Profile

About Lodwar

Lodwar

Lodwar is the largest town in north-western Kenya, located west of Lake Turkana on the A1 road. The main industries are basket weaving and tourism. The Loima Hills lie to the west. Lodwar is the capital of Turkana County. The town had a population of 82,970 in the 2019 census.

People

Population82,970
Density26/mi²

Climate

Avg Temp85°F (29°C)
Rain9.5 in/yr
Sunny Days319/yr
Elevation1,640 ft (500 m)
Population82,970
Population Density26 / sq mi
Elevation1,640 ft (500 m)
Coordinates3.1199°, 35.5964°
TimezoneAfrica/Nairobi
Country🇰🇪 Kenya
State / ProvinceTurkana County
Average Temperature85°F (29°C)
January Average84°F (29°C)
July Average83°F (28°C)
Annual Precipitation9.5 inches (242 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)

About Lodwar

Lodwar is a mid-size city in Kenya (Turkana County) with a population of 82,970. The city sits at an elevation of 1,640 feet (500 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 85°F (29°C). Temperatures range from 84°F in January to 83°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 9.5 inches. The timezone is Africa/Nairobi.

Climate in Lodwar

Lodwar has an average annual temperature of 0°C (32°F). The hottest month is Jan (0°C), the coldest is Jan (0°C). Average annual precipitation is 244 mm.

Month Avg °C / °F Min / Max °C Rain (mm)
Jan 0°C / 32°F - / - 7.0
Feb 0°C / 32°F - / - 2.4
Mar 0°C / 32°F - / - 34.1
Apr 0°C / 32°F - / - 45.9
May 0°C / 32°F - / - 18.1
Jun 0°C / 32°F - / - 9.0
Jul 0°C / 32°F - / - 31.6
Aug 0°C / 32°F - / - 22.0
Sep 0°C / 32°F - / - 14.2
Oct 0°C / 32°F - / - 17.7
Nov 0°C / 32°F - / - 22.0
Dec 0°C / 32°F - / - 20.1
Lodwar has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 85°F (29°C). Winters average 84°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 319 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 9.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 1,640 feet.

Temperature

84°F Jan (29°C) 83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average84.5°F
56% above Kenya avg
January Average84°F (29°C)
July Average83°F (28°C)
Sunny Days319 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,640 ft (500 m)
Area3,185.1 sq mi (8,249.4 km²)
Population Density26/sq mi
Coordinates3.1199°N, 35.5964°W
TimezoneAfrica/Nairobi

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 9.5"
75% below Kenya avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Apr) 2.05"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.31"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

6 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M5.2. Most recent: M5.0 on May 3, 2020.

Jan 22, 2012 82 km NE of Lodwar, Kenya M5.2 83 km
May 3, 2020 59 km ESE of Lodwar, Kenya M5.0 59 km
Apr 3, 1996 38 km E of Lodwar, Kenya M4.5 38 km
Apr 2, 1996 38 km E of Lodwar, Kenya M4.3 39 km
Mar 17, 2015 28 km ESE of Lodwar, Kenya M4.2 29 km
Oct 23, 1998 43 km E of Lodwar, Kenya M3.9 44 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Nearby Volcanoes

4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Central Island (65 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Central Island Tuff cone(s) 518 m (1,699 ft) Unknown 65 km
Barrier, The Shield 1,032 m (3,386 ft) 1921 140 km
Namarunu Shield 817 m (2,680 ft) -6550 157 km
Emuruangogolak Shield 1,285 m (4,216 ft) 1910 198 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 84°F (29°C) 0.3 in Driest
February 85°F (30°C) 0.4 in
March 86°F (30°C) 1.1 in Warmest
April 85°F (30°C) 2.1 in Wettest
May 85°F (30°C) 1.4 in
June 84°F (29°C) 0.6 in
July 83°F (28°C) 1.0 in Coldest
August 84°F (29°C) 0.5 in
September 85°F (29°C) 0.4 in
October 86°F (30°C) 0.4 in
November 84°F (29°C) 1.1 in
December 83°F (28°C) 0.4 in

Lodwar has a seasonal temperature swing of 3°F / from 83°F in July to 86°F in March. Total annual precipitation is 9.5 inches, with April being the wettest month (2.1") and January the driest (0.3").

View full weather details →

Colleges & Universities in Lodwar

Institution Type Founded Website
Bishop Mahon Teachers Training College College - ,
Kenya Medical Training College College - ,
Turkana University College University - ,

Schools in Lodwar

21 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Comboni Missionary Schools - - - -
Kanamkemer Primary School - - - -
St. John Education Centre and Schools - - - -
Lodwar High School - - - -
Anna Nanjala Education Centre - - - -
Lodwar Vocational Training Centre - - - -
Nadapal Primary School - - - -
Lokipetot Primary School - - - -
Lodwar Girls Secondary School - - - -
Nakwamekwi Primary School - - - -
St Michael's Kawalese Primary School - - - -
Lodwar Mixed Primary School - - - -
St.Bernadette School for the Deaf - - - -
St Augustine Boys Primary School - - - -
Queen of Peace Girls Primary School - - - -
St James Minor Seminary - - - -
Erait Girls High School - - - -
St. Kevin's Catholic School - - - -
Bishop Mahon Primary School - - - -
St Michael's Kawalese Primary School - - - -
Lion train - - - -
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Lodwar

0 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality

Farmers Markets in Lodwar

NameAddressSeasonHoursOrganicWebsite
Africana
Caroline and Sons Naetet Shopping
Lodwar Livestock Marketplace
Lodwar Open Air Market
Lodwar Produce Marketplace
Nakwalele Shopping Centre
Neighborhood Shopping Centre

Restaurants in Lodwar

8 restaurants within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Cradle Camp
Erait Fast
Jabulani Coffee Shop
KK Eateries,kwa AJIKON
Pension Restaurant
Salama Hotel
Solmar Gracious Hotel
White Sand Lodwar

Gas Stations in Lodwar

16 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Africana
Canaan Filling Station
Fas Oil
Hashi Petrol Station
KE #865095586
KE #872390554
KE #872390555
Kobil
Lodwar Energy
Lodwar Energy
Lodwar Energy Station
Pacific Gas Station
Rubis
Rubis
Sagal Petrol Station
Shell

Banks in Lodwar

5 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Cooperative Bank
Equity Bank
KCB Bank
National Bank
National Bank

Airports Near Lodwar

9 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Lodwar AirportLOKMedium Airport
Alia Bay Airport-Small Airport
Eliye Springs AirportEYSSmall Airport
Kakuma Airport-Small Airport
Kalokol AirportKLKSmall Airport
Kataboi Airport-Small Airport
Lokichar Airport-Small Airport
Lothagah Airport-Small Airport
Perror Airport-Small Airport

Post Offices in Lodwar

1 post offices.

Post OfficeAddress
Lodwar Post Office

Churches & Religious Organizations in Lodwar

11 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Holy Family Catholic Church
Holy Family Catholic Parish
Lodwar Mosque
PEFA CHURCH LODWAR TOWN
Risen Christ
Risen Christ Catholic Parish
Saint Augustine's Cathedral
Saint Theresa Pastoral Centre
St Michael Catholic Church
St Michel Catholic Parish
St. Mary's Catholic Shrine

Quick Facts

Timezone
Africa/Nairobi
Elevation
477 m (1,565 ft)

Around Lodwar

Places within 5 km radius - OpenStreetMap data

Schools 26
Hospitals 2
Restaurants 8
Bars 3
Supermarkets 2
Banks 3
Hotels 8
Parks 1
Police Stations 1
Places of Worship 6

Things to See Near Lodwar

2 places within 15 km

⛰️ Peaks (2)
  • • Christ the Redeemer Hill
  • • Lodwar Cone

🇰🇪 About Kenya

Capital Nairobi
Population 51,393,010
Area 582,650 km²
GDP (USD) $107,500,884,685
GDP per capita $1,943
HDI 0.601
Life expectancy 63.7 years
Internet users 35.0%
Urban population 31.6%
Currency KES (Shilling)
Languages English, Swahili
Calling code +254
TLD .ke
Driving side left

Volcanoes Near Lodwar

Volcano Type Elevation Last Eruption
Central Island Tuff cone(s) 518 m -

Public Holidays in Kenya

10 public holidays this year

Date Holiday Local Name
Jan 1 New Year's Day New Year's Day
Apr 3 Good Friday Good Friday
Apr 6 Easter Monday Easter Monday
May 1 Labour Day Labour Day
Jun 1 Madaraka Day Madaraka Day
Oct 10 Mazingira Day Mazingira Day
Oct 20 Mashujaa Day Mashujaa Day
Dec 12 Jamhuri Day Jamhuri Day
Dec 25 Christmas Day Christmas Day
Dec 26 Boxing Day Boxing Day

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Frequently Asked Questions About Lodwar

What is the population of Lodwar?

Lodwar has a population of 82,970 residents and is located in Kenya. The population density is 26 people per square mile, spread across 3,185.1 square miles.

What is the weather like in Lodwar?

Lodwar has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 85°F (29°C). Winter temperatures average 84°F in January, while summers reach an average of 83°F in July. The area receives 319 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 9.5 inches.

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