# Mandera County

Mandera County is a county in northeastern Kenya, bordering Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the east, and Wajir 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.
The primary economic activities include pastoralism and agriculture, with a focus on livestock. The capital and largest town is Mandera.

## Economy

According to Knbs 2022, Mandera County is the Poorest County in Kenya by GDP Per Capita of $577.
Despite having a population of 935,000 its the 42nd Largest Economy out of 47 Counties with a gdp of $540M as of 2022
Insecurity mostly pose a great Threat to Economic growth and thus the Main Economy is Pastoralism
Economic growth of Mandera is Very low , As of 2022 the Economy of Mandera County grew by 0.1285%

## 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.

## Demographics

Religion in Mandera County (2019)
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.
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.
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.

## Administrative and political units
### Administrative units

There are 7 sub counties, 22 divisions, 97 locations and 141 sub-locations.

#### Sub-counties

* Mandera East
* Mandera West
* Banisa
* Mandera North
* Lafey
* Mandera South
* Kutullo
* Arabia
* Kiliwehiri

### Electoral constituencies

It has 6 constituencies and 30 county assembly wards.
* Mandera West Constituency
* Banissa Constituency
* Mandera East Constituency
* Lafey Constituency
* Mandera South Constituency
* Mandera North Constituency

### Political leadership

Mohamed Adan Khalif is the governor in office after being elected and his deputy is DR Ali Moalim Mohamud. Ali Ibrahim Roba is the Senator who replaced Billow Kerow who was the first elected senator. Amina Gedow is the second elected women representative who won against Fathia Mahbuub, the first women representative for the county.
For Mandera County, the County Executive Committee comprises:-
County Executive Committee :
| | 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 of EFP Party Member o.f Parliament Mandera Constituency.
* Hon. Hassan, Kulow Maalim of EFP party Member of Parliament West Banisa Constituency.
* Hon. Hassan, Omar Mohamed Maalim of EFP Party Member of Parliament Mandera East Constituency.
* Hon. Ibrahim, Abdi Mude of EFP Party Member of Parliament Lafey Constituency.
* Hon. Ali, Adan Haji of Jubilee Party Member of Parliament Mandera South Constituency.
* Hon. Abdullah, Bashir Sheikh of Jubilee Party Member of Parliament Mandera North Constituency.
Members of the County Assembly
* Hon Saad Sheikh Ahmed (Abajano)[²⁶] EFP PARTY Member of County Assembly Fino Ward
* Hon Hussein Adan Haji(HajiHuska)[⁶] EFP PARTY Member of County Assembly Takaba South Ward

## Health

There is a total of 83 health facilities in the county and 150 health personnel of different cadre.
HIV prevalence is at 1.8%, below the national average of 5.3%.

## Transport and communication

The county is covered by 1,884.5 km of road network. Of this 1,390 km is covered by earth surface, 494.5 km is murram surface.
There are 13 cyber cafes, 5 post offices installed letter boxes, 1150 rented letter boxes and 1100 rented letter boxes, and 50 vacant letter boxes.

## Trade and commerce

There are 32 trading centers, 127 licensed retail traders, 212 licensed hawkers and 10 petrol stations.
| Urban Centre | 2022Population |
| Mandera | 141,116 |
| El Wak | 59,000 |
| Rhamu | 56,185 |
| Takaba | 51,546 |
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:
| Sub-county | Population | Pop. density | Headquarters |
| Mandera South | 410,247 | 66 | El Wak |
| Mandera East | 296,281 | 106 | Mandera |
| Mandera North | 281,111 | 51 | Rhamu |
| Mandera West | 267,901 | 56 | Takaba |
| Bannisa | 261,891 | 78 | Bannisa |
| Lafey | 182,006 | 54 | Lafey |
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 :
| 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 |