Though a small town has developed on the outskirts, Kakuma is mainly identified as a large, sprawling refugee camp that appeared in the middle of the Kenyan desert. It has had up to 60,000 residents and all the housing, international organization compounds, and logistical associated with it. It has also become a major market hub not just for the refugees but the local nomadic herder Turkana of the area. I had unique opportunity to visit there as part of my work. (2003)
The ‘town’ of Kakuma developed alongside the camp and has apparently become a government center for this district.
Not a sight you see running beside the car everyday (unless you live in Kakuma)
Though the experience of being at the camp was impactful in a serious way, I also have a wonderful memory as a traveler of sitting at this bar under a huge sky full of stars and drinking a cold local beer as Congolese music played in the night.
Turkana women come to the local market to barter and trade
