22-525: Tana River County is a county in the former Coast Province of Kenya . It is named after the Tana River , the longest river in Kenya. It has an area of 38,437 km (14,841 sq mi) and had a population of 315,943 as of the 2019 census. The county borders Kitui County to the west, Garissa County to the northeast, Isiolo County to the north, Lamu County to the southeast, Kilifi County to
44-511: A bulbous dome topped with a ceramic celadon bottle, similar to that of the Fakhr al-Din mosque, instead of a semi-dome. This borrowing of the bulbous dome concept suggests a diffusion of styles across the region. However, its widespread adoption may have been limited by the complex construction techniques required. The existence and unique features of the second mosque present a fascinating chronological puzzle. Could it be that this 'second' structure
66-517: A former wooden balustrade. These changes, estimated to have occurred between 1400 and 1450, raise intriguing questions about the motivations behind such a significant transformation. The timing of this expansion of the Friday mosque coincides with the construction of the new Grand Mosque in Gedi . This synchronicity suggests a possible connection, possibly related to a wider religious or political shift in
88-748: A more comprehensive analysis of the archaeological data and a comparative study of regional architectural trends, is needed to fully unravel the chronological mysteries and understand the cultural exchanges that shaped these captivating structures. Despite the large area of the Tana River district , its only local authority is Tana River County Council. The district has three constituencies: Garsen , Galole and Bura ,15 wards, 54 locations, and one hundred nine (109) sub-Locations [1] . Religion in Tana River County The county consists of 81% Muslims, 18% Christians and 1% of people in other religions (including Atheism ). The major ethnic groups are
110-492: A number of nominated members as is necessary to ensure that neither male nor female members constitute more than two-thirds of the assembly. There will also be six nominated members to represent marginalised groups (persons with disabilities, and the youth) and a county assembly speaker who will be an ex officio member of the assembly. Garsen Constituency Garsen Constituency is an electoral constituency in Kenya . It
132-471: A separate election for the deputy governor but shall declare the running mate of the person who is elected county governor to have been elected as the deputy governor. Each county will be run by an executive committee, consisting of: Uniquely among democracies, Kenyan law requires governors to have a recognised university degree. The counties each have an assembly whose members are elected from single-member constituencies known as wards. There may also be
154-406: A unique design, combining an ogee shape with a semicircle at the apex. The structure displays a rich array of decorative elements, including inlaid ceramics on the lintel and tympanum, an architrave decorated with fish bone motifs, and single-block coral columns with inlaid panels. The apse plan deviates from the norm, with triangular shapes and mouldings. In particular, the mihrab is surmounted by
176-625: Is also a regular problem, caused by heavy rainfall in upstream areas of the Tana River. A recent survey prepared by ALMRP, Tana River District presented to the Tana River District Steering Group (2004) found that the county is 79% food insecure and with an incidence of poverty at 62% (Interim Poverty Strategy Paper (I-PSP), 2000–2003, Kenya). Religion in Tana River County On 22 August 2012, in
198-618: The 2010 Constitution of Kenya as the new units of devolved government . They replaced the previous provincial system . The establishment and executive powers of the counties is provided in Chapter Eleven of the Constitution on devolved government, the Constitution's Fourth Schedule and any other legislation passed by the Senate of Kenya concerning counties. The counties are also single-member constituencies which elect members of
220-466: The Indian Ocean . The historic town of Ungwana, near the mouth of the Tana River , is home to two important mosques that share a curious relationship with the great mosques of Gedi . The city's Friday mosque , originally 17 metres long, featured an ogee arch framing the mihrab (prayer niche). Decorative coral bosses and the imprint of a lost square plaque (possibly ceramic or marble) adorned
242-587: The general elections in March 2013 . The counties' names are set out in the First Schedule of the Constitution. Under the new constitution, Kenya is now divided into 47 counties for administrative purposes. They are grouped below according to the former province they were separated from, with their areas and populations as of the 2009 and the 2019 census: Abbreviations County governments are responsible for county legislation (outlined in article 185 of
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#1732782908004264-413: The Constitution of Kenya), executive functions (outlined in article 183), functions outlined in the fourth schedule of the constitution of Kenya, functions transferred from the national government through article 187 of the constitution of Kenya, functions agreed upon with other counties under article 189(2) of the constitution of Kenya, and establishment and staffing of a public service (under article 235 of
286-486: The Constitution of Kenya). The functions of governments assigned to counties by the fourth schedule of the Constitution of Kenya are: Counties are mandated by the 2010 constitution of Kenya to enact legislation and laws that ensures management and controls of fire fighting. The county governor and the deputy county governor are the chief executive and deputy chief executive of the county, respectively. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission shall not conduct
308-631: The Orma,Somali (Wardey) and pokomo, Orma being the largest ethnic community. The second largest group are the Wardey people. The pokomo are traditionally farmers while the wardey and orma are pastrolist communities who raise cattle, sheep and goats and camels . The county is generally dry and prone to drought. Rainfall is erratic, with rainy seasons in March–May and October–December. Conflicts have occurred between farmers and other people over access to water. Flooding
330-609: The Senate, and special woman members to the National Assembly . As of 2022, there were 47 counties whose size and boundaries were based on 1992 districts . Following the re-organization of Kenya's national administration, counties were integrated into a new national administration with the national government posting a county commissioner to each county to serve as a collaborative link with national government. County governments were established in all 47 counties after
352-763: The apparent adequate natural resources, the region remains marginalized from the rest of the country. Efforts at development always seem to center on the huge River Tana, despite massive failures in all the previous irrigation projects in the district, i.e. Bura , Hola and the Tana delta rice irrigation project which failed after the water works were damaged by the El Niño rains in 1998. .Other economic activities in Tana River county include mining with gems such as Iron ore, Uranium, Gypsum, Barite and illmenite [2] . Counties of Kenya The Counties of Kenya ( Swahili : Kaunti za Kenya ) are geographical units created by
374-513: The lintel. Archaeological excavations have unearthed ceramic fragments dating to the 14th century, giving an indication of the possible date of the mosque's construction. A significant extension to the east marked the early 15th century for the Friday mosque. This new rectangular section mirrored the length of the original structure but offered slightly more width. The prayer hall was divided into four bays separated by three rows of six square columns. The extension included additional entrances: four to
396-479: The region around the mouth of the Tana River and Mida Bay. In particular, the addition of the third column opposite the mihrab may not have been purely functional but may reflect the influence of another Muslim sect within the community. Ungwana boasts a second mosque with a collection of intriguing architectural elements. The northern section of this mosque retains its original teak lintels imported from India, intricately carved with alveolar motifs. The mihrab arch has
418-543: The south and the Indian oceanThe administrative headquarters of the county is Hola also known as Galole. The County has five (5) sub Counties; Tana Delta, Tana River, Tana North, Galedyertu, and Bangal. Apart from the River Tana, there are several seasonal rivers in the county popularly known as Galan, which flows in a west–east direction from Kitui and Makueni Counties, draining into the River Tana and eventually into
440-408: The west provided access to the older section, while two with ogee arches to the east led to an antechamber and rooms flanking the mihrab. A notable feature of this extension is the addition of an octagonal pillar directly opposite the mihrab and a substantial seven-step minbar built against the qibla wall. The back of the minbar had intricate plaster mouldings, and small holes indicated the presence of
462-690: The worst violent incident in Kenya since 2007, at least 52 people were killed in ethnic violence in Tana River County between the Orma and Pokomo communities residing in tana river county. Bura Irrigation and Settlement Project is located in Tana River County. During the years 1981-1988 about 2,200 families from different parts of Kenya were settled in this irrigation scheme. Tana River County consists of forest, woodland and grassland which are minor centers of endemism . The forests are designated National Reserve status if they have >4 plant endemics and >7 vertebrate endemics (IUCN, 2003). Despite
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#1732782908004484-482: Was actually Ungwana's first great mosque, built in the 13th century? Perhaps it was later replaced by the larger Friday mosque, built in the 14th century and rebuilt in the 15th century. The architectural legacy of Ungwana's mosques, with their intriguing parallels to Gedi and hints of external influences, offers a glimpse into the dynamic artistic and religious landscape of the Swahili coast. Further research, including
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