| Wajir | |
|---|---|
| — Town — | |
|
Wajir
Placement on map is approximate |
|
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Kenya |
| Province | North Eastern Province |
| District | Wajir |
| Government | |
| • Type | County |
| • Chairperson | |
| Elevation | 3,937 ft (1,200 m) |
| Population (1999 Census) | |
| • Total | 32,200 |
| Area code(s) | 46 |
Wajir is a town in the North Eastern Province of Kenya. It is the capital of Wajir County.
Contents |
A cluster of cairns near Wajir are generally ascribed by the local inhabitants to the Madanle, a semi-legendary people of high stature, who are associated with the Somali Ajuuraan. A. T. Curle has reported the excavation of two of these large tumuli, finding traces of skeletal remains which crumbled at his touch, as well as earthenware shards and a copper ring.[1]
Wajir is located in an arid area prone to drought. It sits at a latitude and longitude of . (Latitude:1.75000; Longitude:40.05000). The town is served by Wajir Airport, with flights to Nairobi, Galkacyo and Mogadishu.
As with other areas in the North Eastern Province, Wajir is mainly inhabited by Somalis, most belonging to the Degodia sub-clan of the Hawiye. The 1999 census reported a total population of 32,207 inhabitants.[2]
| Climate data for Wajir | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 35 (95) |
36 (96) |
36 (96) |
34 (94) |
33 (92) |
32 (90) |
31 (88) |
32 (89) |
33 (91) |
33 (92) |
33 (91) |
33 (92) |
33.4 (92.2) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 21 (70) |
22 (72) |
23 (74) |
24 (75) |
23 (73) |
21 (70) |
21 (69) |
21 (69) |
21 (70) |
22 (71) |
22 (71) |
23 (73) |
21.9 (71) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 5 (0.2) |
13 (0.5) |
20 (0.8) |
69 (2.7) |
36 (1.4) |
0 (0) |
5 (0.2) |
3 (0.1) |
5 (0.2) |
25 (1) |
41 (1.6) |
23 (0.9) |
244 (9.6) |
| Source: Weatherbase [3] | |||||||||||||
Wajir county has several secondary schools, six of which are located in Wajir East district. Some of the academic institutions include Wajir High School, Wajir Girls High, Griftu High, Hon. Khalif, Eldas High, Bute High, Hadado, Habaswein High, Furaha Mixed Day School, Waberi Mixed Day Secondary School and Sabunley Secondary School.
Wajir is the capital of the Wajir District. The district is subdivided into fourteen administrative divisions, which come under the local authority, the Wajir county council.
Wajir District has four constituencies: