Laikipia North: Where Wildlife Roams and Power Plays

Laikipia North Constituency, located in Laikipia County in Kenya’s Rift Valley, is a vast, predominantly ASAL (Arid and Semi-Arid Lands) area. Characterized by expansive rangelands, conservancies, wildlife, and pastoralist communities.

It features significant portions of the Mukogodo Forest and drylands, with mixed livestock production, emerging tourism elements, and proximity to areas like Dol Dol. The constituency is known for its ethnic diversity, political competitiveness, land tenure issues, and challenges related to climate variability, insecurity, and development in marginal areas.

Demographics and Administrative Units

Population: The 2019 KNBS Census enumerated 36,184 people at the sub-county administrative level. Ward-level aggregations used in NG-CDF and constituency planning frameworks reach approximately 81,094–107,042 when combining the four electoral wards.

Projected Population (mid-2020s): Growing in line with county trends toward ~550,000–600,000+ for Laikipia County overall.

Area: Approximately 2,295.50–2,550 km².

Registered Voters (2022): 47,752 (IEBC)

Number of Wards: 4 (Sosian, Segera, Mukogodo West, Mukogodo East).

Current Ward Leadership (MCAs 2022–2027)

Political Leadership 

2013 General Election: Hon. Mathew Lekidime Lempurkel (ODM) won the inaugural election with 7,461 votes, defeating his closest challenger Hon. Sarah Paulata Korere (URP) who received 4,694 votes.

2017 General Election: Hon. Sarah Paulata Korere (Jubilee Party) unseated the incumbent Hon. Mathew Lekidime Lempurkel (ODM), winning with 10,767 votes against 7,686 votes.

2022 General Election: Hon. Sarah Paulata Korere (Jubilee Party / Azimio) successfully defended her seat with a wide margin, polling 14,148 votes against her strongest opponent Simon Maina Munene (UDA) who received 6,405 votes.

Economic Profile

Laikipia North’s economy centers on pastoralism and agro-pastoralism, supported by rangelands, variable rainfall, and natural resources including the Mukogodo Forest. It contributes significantly to county livestock production and links with high-end conservancies (e.g., Segera, Lewa, Ol Pejeta).

Major Activities:

1. Livestock farming (cattle, sheep, goats) — Vital for pastoral communities.

2. Limited crop farming and fodder production.

3. Tourism, wildlife conservation, and eco-tourism.

4. Beekeeping, small trade, and regulated resource use.

Key Development Priorities:

1. Livestock development, disease control, and value addition.

2. Infrastructure: roads, water (boreholes, dams), and electrification.

3. Land management and resolution of historical claims.

4. Climate resilience, rangeland restoration, and drought mitigation.

5. Education, health facilities, and enhanced security (especially around Mukogodo Forest)

Political​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Behaviour

Laikipia North has changed from being an ODM stronghold at the beginning to giving overwhelming support to Jubilee leadership, even to the extent of rewarding incumbency and good performance. Although voters change their allegiance to different national coalitions quite casually, they are increasingly showing a desire for continuity. At the ward level, political scenarios are so diverse and fragmented that the constituency is not only swing-prone but also gradually stable, a factor influenced by pastoralist communities' needs, ethnicity, and development issues.

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