Mandera County
County in Kenya
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mandera County is a county in northeastern Kenya, bordering Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the east, and Wajir County to the south. It is predominantly home to the Somali community, with a population of about 983,000 (2024)-(nullified), making it the 28th largest county in Kenya by population. Covering an area of approximately 25,797 square kilometers, Mandera County features natural landscapes, including the Dawa River and vast deserts.
Mandera County | |
|---|---|
|
Flag  Coat of arms | |
 Location of Mandera County in Kenya | |
| Coordinates: 3.41667°N 40.6667°E | |
| Country |  Kenya |
| Formed | 4 March 2013 |
| Capital and largest town | Mandera |
| Other towns | El Wak |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Mohamed Adan Khalif |
| • Senator | Ali Roba |
| • Women Rep | Ummulkheir Kassim |
| Area | |
• Total | 25,797.7 km2 (9,960.5 sq mi) |
| • Land | 25,797.7 km2 (9,960.5 sq mi) |
| • Water | 0 km2 (0 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,200 m (3,900 ft) |
| Population (2024)[1] | |
• Total | 983,000 |
| • Density | 38.1/km2 (98.7/sq mi) |
| GDP (PPP) | |
| • Total |  $1.612 billion (42nd)(2024)[2] |
| • Per Capita | $1,724 (2024) (47th) |
| GDP (NOMINAL) | |
| • Total | $541 Million (2024) (42nd) |
| • Per Capita | $579 (2024) (47th) |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (EAT) |
| HDI (2024) | 0.484[3] (47th) - low |
| Website | www |
The primary economic activities include pastoralism and agriculture, with a focus on livestock. The capital and largest town is Mandera.
Economy
Mandera County, while facing persistent developmental and insecurity challenges, has shown signs of economic progress in recent years. In 2024, the county's economy grew by 3.5%,[4] reflecting gradual recovery in key sectors such as livestock and informal trade. Despite this growth, Mandera remains the poorest county in Kenya by GDP per capita, estimated at USD 500 as of 2024, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).[4]
With a population of approximately 936,000, Mandera ranked 42nd out of 47 counties in total economic output, recording a GDP of USD 140 million in 2022.[4] The county's economy is primarily pastoralist, heavily dependent on livestock production and trade. Recurrent insecurity, especially along its borders with Somalia and Ethiopia, continues to undermine private investment, public service delivery, and broader economic diversification.
Climate
The county has a temperature range between 24C – 42C. Rainfall is very low and unreliable with annual average of 91.7mm annually. Long rains normally occur in April and May averaging 69.1mm while short rains in October and November averaging 122mm.[5]
Demographics
The Kenya Population and Housing Survey report (KPHC) 2009 showed that Mandera County had a population of 1,025,756 persons. This comprised 559,943 males (54.6%) and 465,813 females (45.4%). The county's population was projected to be 1,399,503 persons, comprising 763,966 males and 635,537 females in 2017.[7]
The county has a total population of 867,457 of which 434,976 are males, 432,444 females and 37 intersex persons. There are 125,763 household with an average household size of 6.9 persons per household and a population density 33 people per square kilometre 2020.[8]
It was also projected that the population would be 1,699,437 persons comprising 927,695 males and 771,742 females in the year 2022.
Like in other areas of North Eastern counties, Mandera is predominantly inhabited by ethnic Somalis.
Population
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 105,601 | — |
| 1989 | 123,787 | +17.2% |
| 1999 | 250,372 | +102.3% |
| 2009 | 1,025,756 | +309.7% |
| 2019 | 867,457 | −15.4% |
| source:[9] | ||
Administrative and political units
Administrative units
There are 7 sub counties, 22 divisions, 97 locations and 141 sub-locations.[10]
Sub-counties
- Mandera East
- Mandera West
- Banisa
- Mandera North
- Lafey
- Mandera South
- Kutullo
- Arabia
- Kiliwehiri
- [Ashabito-Mandera] Newly established Sub-county
- [Dandu-Mandera] Newly established Sub-county
Electoral constituencies
It has 6 constituencies and 30 county assembly wards.[11]
Political leadership
Mohamed Adan Khalif is the governor in office after being elected and his deputy is DR Ali Moalim Mohamud.[12][13] Ali Ibrahim Roba is the Senator who replaced Billow Kerow who was the first elected senator.[14][15] Amina Gedow is the second elected women representative who won against Fathia Mahbuub, the first women representative for the county.[16][17]
For Mandera County, the County Executive Committee comprises:[18]-
| Number | |
|---|---|
| The Governor | 1 |
| The Deputy Governor | 1 |
| The County Secretary | 1 |
| The Members of County Assembly | 48 |
| Members of the CEC | 10 |
Members of Parliament 2017-2022 (Mandera County)
- Hon Omar Mohamed – omar salla[19] of EFP Party Member o.f Parliament Mandera Constituency.[20]
- Hon. Hassan, Kulow Maalim[21] of EFP party Member of Parliament West Banisa Constituency.[22]
- Hon. Hassan, Omar Mohamed Maalim[23] of EFP Party Member of Parliament Mandera East Constituency.[24]
- Hon. Ibrahim, Abdi Mude[25] of EFP Party Member of Parliament Lafey Constituency.[26]
- Hon. Ali, Adan Haji[27] of Jubilee Party Member of Parliament Mandera South Constituency.[28]
- Hon. Abdullah, Bashir Sheikh[29] of Jubilee Party Member of Parliament Mandera North Constituency.[30]
Members of the County Assembly
- Saad Sheikh Ahmed (Abajano), EFP Party[31]
- Hussein Adan Haji (HajiHuska), EFP Party[32]
Health
Transport and communication
Trade and commerce
There are 32 trading centers, 127 licensed retail traders, 212 licensed hawkers and 10 petrol stations.[38]
Mandera Town is the most densely populated urban area of the county, while Takaba is the least populated.
The town is the oldest and main urban section of the county and its high population is attributed to the residents' diverse economic activities. The town has small-scale traders; retailers, artisans, hoteliers, grocers and even cross-border traders.
County subdivisions
As of 2022, Mandera County is divided into 6 sub-counties:[1]
Mandera East that hosts the county headquarters in Mandera Town is the most densely populated constituency with 106 persons per square kilometre. Mandera North is the least densely populated constituency with 42 persons per square kilometre, but which is projected to be 47 and 51 persons per square kilometres 2020 and 2022 respectively.
Electoral constituencies
| Constituencies of Mandera County[40] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Map | Constituency Names | Constituency No. | Approximate Population (2022) | ||
 |
Mandera West | 39 | 267,901 | ||
| Banissa | 40 | 261,891 | |||
| Mandera North | 41 | 231,498 | |||
| Mandera South | 42 | 410,247 | |||
| Mandera East | 43 | 296,281 | |||
| Lafey | 44 | 182,006 | |||