alittu

Alittu is a small rural settlement located in Turkana County in northern Kenya, near the southern banks of the Omo River. The village lies approximately 45 kilometres north of Lodwar, the county capital, and is accessible via a gravel road that connects the Luo–Turkana region to the remote areas of the Maasai Mara Serengeti corridor. According to the 2019 Kenya National Census, Alittu hosts a modest population of about 1,200 residents, predominantly belonging to the Turkana people, a Nilotic ethnic group with a strong pastoral tradition.

The economy of Alittu is largely driven by livestock rearing. Herds of camels, goats, and sheep migrate seasonally between the dry season grazing grounds in the northern plains and the more water‑rich lowlands near the Omo River. In recent years, small-scale agriculture has emerged as a supplementary livelihood, with high‑yield drought‑resistant millet varieties cultivated on terraced plots along the riverbank. The village also serves as a local market hub, where nomadic pastoralists trade animal skins, horns, and fermented milk products for agricultural produce and artisanal goods.

Alittu is within sight of the Alittu National Wildlife Reserve, an area set aside in 1977 to protect endangered antelope species and to preserve the habitat of the endangered Hamer (also known as the Afrasian “Alitta” antelope, first described by the late Dr. J. M. Hamer). Conservation efforts include periodic wildlife surveys and community outreach programs about sustainable grazing practices.

The primary language spoken is Turkana, but many residents also communicate in Swahili and English, especially among the younger generation. Notable community initiatives have focused on improving water infrastructure; a solar-powered pump was installed in 2017 to provide reliable access to clean drinking water for both residents and livestock. The settlement’s cultural calendar includes the Alittu Festival, an annual gathering that celebrates local narratives, music, and traditional dance, reinforcing social cohesion and the perpetuation of Turkana heritage.