Wajir
Encyclopedia
Wajir is a town in the North Eastern Province
of Kenya
. It is the capital of Wajir County
.
s 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.
, with flights to Nairobi
, Galkacyo and Mogadishu
.
. The 1999 census reported a total population of 32,207 inhabitants.
. The district is subdivided into fourteen administrative divisions, which come under the local authority, the Wajir county council.
Wajir District has four constituencies:
North Eastern Province (Kenya)
North Eastern Province is the third largest province in Kenya and has thirteen constituencies represented in the Kenya National Assembly.The region is home to a rare type of antelope called the Hirola, which is classified as an endangered species. The NFD's pastoralists also possess livestock in...
of Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. It is the capital of Wajir County
Wajir District
Wajir District is an administrative district in the North Eastern Province of Kenya. Its capital town is Wajir. The district has a population of 319,261 and an area of 55,501 km² . Wajir district has only one local authority: Wajir county council. The district has four constituencies: Wajir North,...
.
History
A cluster of cairnCairn
Cairn is a term used mainly in the English-speaking world for a man-made pile of stones. It comes from the or . Cairns are found all over the world in uplands, on moorland, on mountaintops, near waterways and on sea cliffs, and also in barren desert and tundra areas...
s 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
Somali people
Somalis are an ethnic group located in the Horn of Africa, also known as the Somali Peninsula. The overwhelming majority of Somalis speak the Somali language, which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family...
Ajuuraan. A. T. Curle has reported the excavation of two of these large tumuli
Tumulus
A tumulus is a mound of earth and stones raised over a grave or graves. Tumuli are also known as barrows, burial mounds, Hügelgrab or kurgans, and can be found throughout much of the world. A tumulus composed largely or entirely of stones is usually referred to as a cairn...
, finding traces of skeletal remains which crumbled at his touch, as well as earthenware
Earthenware
Earthenware is a common ceramic material, which is used extensively for pottery tableware and decorative objects.-Types of earthenware:Although body formulations vary between countries and even between individual makers, a generic composition is 25% ball clay, 28% kaolin, 32% quartz, and 15%...
shards and a copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
ring.
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. (Latitude:1.75000; Longitude:40.05000). The town is served by Wajir AirportWajir Airport
Wajir Airport is an international airport in the North Eastern Province of Kenya.-Location:Wajir Airport is located in Wajir, a town in the Wajir District of the North Eastern Province in Kenya...
, with flights to Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Galkacyo and Mogadishu
Mogadishu
Mogadishu , popularly known as Xamar, is the largest city in Somalia and the nation's capital. Located in the coastal Benadir region on the Indian Ocean, the city has served as an important port for centuries....
.
Demographics
As with other areas in the North Eastern Province, Wajir is mainly inhabited by Somalis, most belonging to the Degodia sub-clan of the HawiyeHawiye
The Hawiye is a Somali clan. Members of the clan primarily live in central and southern Somalia, in the Ogaden and the North Eastern Province , and in smaller numbers in other countries. Like many Somalis, Hawiye members trace their ancestry to Irir Samaale...
. The 1999 census reported a total population of 32,207 inhabitants.
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 DistrictWajir District
Wajir District is an administrative district in the North Eastern Province of Kenya. Its capital town is Wajir. The district has a population of 319,261 and an area of 55,501 km² . Wajir district has only one local authority: Wajir county council. The district has four constituencies: Wajir North,...
. The district is subdivided into fourteen administrative divisions, which come under the local authority, the Wajir county council.
Wajir District has four constituencies:
- Wajir NorthWajir North ConstituencyWajir North Constituency is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is one of four constituencies in Wajir District. The constituency has seven wards, all electing councillors to the Wajir County Council...
- Wajir EastWajir East ConstituencyWajir East Constituency is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is one of four constituencies in Wajir District. The constituency has 10 wards, all electing councillors to the Wajir County Council. The constituency was established for the 1966 elections....
- Wajir WestWajir West ConstituencyWajir West Constituency is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is one of four constituencies in Wajir District. The constituency has 12 wards, all electing councillors to the Wajir County Council. The constituency was established for the 1966 elections....
- Wajir SouthWajir South ConstituencyWajir South Constituency is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is one of four constituencies in Wajir District. The constituency has nine wards, all electing councillors to the Wajir County Council. The constituency was established for the 1963 elections....
See also
- Wajir AirportWajir AirportWajir Airport is an international airport in the North Eastern Province of Kenya.-Location:Wajir Airport is located in Wajir, a town in the Wajir District of the North Eastern Province in Kenya...
- Wajir DistrictWajir DistrictWajir District is an administrative district in the North Eastern Province of Kenya. Its capital town is Wajir. The district has a population of 319,261 and an area of 55,501 km² . Wajir district has only one local authority: Wajir county council. The district has four constituencies: Wajir North,...
- North Eastern Province (Kenya)North Eastern Province (Kenya)North Eastern Province is the third largest province in Kenya and has thirteen constituencies represented in the Kenya National Assembly.The region is home to a rare type of antelope called the Hirola, which is classified as an endangered species. The NFD's pastoralists also possess livestock in...
- List of airports in Kenya