The Lake Turkana Festival

13-15 May 2011. The fourth edition of the Lake Turkana Festival, which takes place on the South-Eastern shores of the Jade Lake, also known as Lake Turkana, is organized by the German Embassy and the National Museums of Kenya.

During the festival, representatives of the Rendille, El Molo, Pokot, Samburu, Turkana, Gabbra, Dassanech and Borana local communities will present their customs, living conditions, spectacular traditional costumes, arts and crafts, dances and music.

This year the festival focuses on securing a sustainable development in the cultural, economic and environmental fields and raises awareness on the challenge of water scarcity and the need for an efficient use of natural resources.

This festival was conceived in 2008 after the proposal made by the local community of Loiyangalani to the German Embassy to overcome the tribalism which affected the region.

This event promotes peace and reconciliation among the local communities around the lake by giving them an opportunity for cross-cultural cooperation and exchange. Within 2030 the Lake Turkana region is expected to gain international importance and to open up to investors and tourists.