Wajir
Wajir | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 | |
| Country |  Kenya |
| Province | North Eastern Province |
| District | Wajir |
| Government | |
| • Type | County |
| Elevation | 3,900 ft (1,200 m) |
| Population (2009 Census)[1] | |
| • Town | 82,800 |
| • Urban | 16,838 |
| Area code | 46 |
Wajir is a town in the North Eastern Province of Kenya. It is the capital of Wajir County.
History
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 (1933) 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.[2]
Overview
Wajir is located in an arid area prone to drought. It sits at a latitude and longitude of 01°45′00″N 40°03′00″E / 1.75000°N 40.05000°E. (Latitude:1.75000; Longitude:40.05000). The town is served by Wajir Airport, with flights to Nairobi, Galkacyo and Mogadishu.
Demographics
As with other areas in the North Eastern Province, Wajir is mainly inhabited by Somalis, most belonging to the Degodia , Murale and Hawadle sub-clan of the Hawiye, Ogaden sub-clan of the Darod, and the Ajuran. The 1999 census reported a total population of 42,207 inhabitants.[3]
Climate
| Climate data for Wajir | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °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 (92) |
| Mean daily minimum °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) |
22 (71) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 5.1 (0.2) |
13 (0.5) |
20 (0.8) |
69 (2.7) |
36 (1.4) |
0 (0) |
5.1 (0.2) |
2.5 (0.1) |
5.1 (0.2) |
25 (1) |
41 (1.6) |
23 (0.9) |
244.8 (9.6) |
| Source: Weatherbase [4] | |||||||||||||
Education
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.
Administrative divisions
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:
See also
References
- ^ "2009 Census Vol 1 Table 3 Rural and Urban Population". Kenya Open Data Project. 2011.
- ^ I.M. Lewis, "132. The So-Called 'Galla Graves' of Northern Somaliland", Man 61 (1961), p. 103. Lewis cites an earlier report by Curle, "Prehistoric graves in the Northern Frontier Province of Kenya Colony," Man, 1933, p. 102;
- ^ 1999 National Census
- ^ "Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Wajir, Kenya". Weatherbase. 2011. Retrieved on November 24, 2011.
