Mandera County

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title: "Mandera County" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["mandera-county", "counties-of-kenya"] topic_path: "general/mandera-county" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandera_County" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

Field	Value
official_name	Mandera County
settlement_type	County
native_name
image_caption	Flag of Mandera Country
image_flag	Flag of Mandera County, Kenya.svg
flag_size	120px
image_shield	Coat of Arms of Mandera County.png
shield_size	120px
image_map	Mandera County in Kenya.svg
map_caption	Location of Mandera County in Kenya
coordinates
subdivision_type	Country
subdivision_name	Kenya
established_title	Formed
established_date	4 March 2013
seat_type	Capital and largest town
seat	Mandera
parts_type	Other towns
parts_style	para
p1	El Wak
leader_title	Governor
leader_name	Mohamed Adan Khalif
leader_title1	Senator
leader_name1	Ali Roba
leader_title2	Women Rep
leader_name2	Ummulkheir Kassim
area_total_km2	25,797.7
area_land_km2	25,797.7
area_water_km2	0
elevation_m	1200
population_footnotes
population_total	983,000
population_as_of	2024
population_density_km2	auto
demographics_type1	GDP (PPP)
demographics1_title1	Total
demographics1_info1	$1.612 billion (42nd)(2024)
demographics1_title2	Per Capita
demographics1_info2	$1,724 (2024) (47th)
demographics_type2	GDP (NOMINAL)
demographics2_title1	Total
demographics2_info1	$541 Million (2024) (42nd)
demographics2_title2	Per Capita
demographics2_info2	$579 (2024) (47th)
blank1_name_sec1	HDI (2024)
blank1_info_sec1	0.484{{Cite web
accessdate	2025-05-14

• | | timezone | EAT | | utc_offset | +3 | | website | | ::

| official_name = Mandera County | settlement_type = County | native_name = | image_caption = Flag of Mandera Country | image_flag = Flag of Mandera County, Kenya.svg | flag_size = 120px | image_shield = Coat of Arms of Mandera County.png | shield_size = 120px | image_map = Mandera County in Kenya.svg | map_caption = Location of Mandera County in Kenya | coordinates = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Kenya | established_title = Formed | established_date = 4 March 2013 | seat_type = Capital and largest town | seat = Mandera | parts_type = Other towns | parts_style = para | p1 = El Wak | leader_title = Governor | leader_name = Mohamed Adan Khalif | leader_title1 = Senator | leader_name1 = Ali Roba | leader_title2 = Women Rep | leader_name2 = Ummulkheir Kassim | area_total_km2 = 25,797.7 | area_land_km2 = 25,797.7 | area_water_km2 = 0 | elevation_m = 1200 | population_footnotes = | population_total = 983,000 | population_as_of = 2024 | population_density_km2 = auto | demographics_type1 = GDP (PPP) | demographics1_title1 = Total | demographics1_info1 = $1.612 billion (42nd)(2024) | demographics1_title2 = Per Capita | demographics1_info2 = $1,724 (2024) (47th)

| demographics_type2 = GDP (NOMINAL) || demographics2_title1 = Total | demographics2_info1 = $541 Million (2024) (42nd)

|| demographics2_title2 = Per Capita | demographics2_info2 = $579 (2024) (47th) | blank1_name_sec1 = HDI (2024) | blank1_info_sec1 = 0.484{{Cite web|title=Kenyan counties by human development index|author=Statista|url=https://statskenya.co.ke/at-stats-kenya/about/human-development-index-in-kenya-hdi-by-county/114/ |accessdate=2025-05-14|lang=en}} (47th)

| timezone = EAT | utc_offset = +3 | website = | footnotes =

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.

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%, 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).

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. 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.

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.

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.

Population

| 1979 | 105,601 | 1989 | 123,787 | 1999 | 250,372 | 2009 | 1,025,756 | 2019 | 867,457 |align = none | footnote = source:

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
• [Ashabito-Mandera] Newly established Sub-county
• [Dandu-Mandera] Newly established Sub-county

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:- ::data[format=table title="County Executive Committee"]

Number
The Governor
The Deputy Governor
The County Secretary
The Members of County Assembly
Members of the CEC
::

Members of Parliament 2017-2022 (Mandera County)

1. Hon Omar Mohamed – omar salla of EFP Party Member o.f Parliament Mandera Constituency.
2. Hon. Hassan, Kulow Maalim of EFP party Member of Parliament West Banisa Constituency.
3. Hon. Hassan, Omar Mohamed Maalim of EFP Party Member of Parliament Mandera East Constituency.
4. Hon. Ibrahim, Abdi Mude of EFP Party Member of Parliament Lafey Constituency.
5. Hon. Ali, Adan Haji of Jubilee Party Member of Parliament Mandera South Constituency.
6. Hon. Abdullah, Bashir Sheikh of Jubilee Party Member of Parliament Mandera North Constituency.

Members of the County Assembly

1. Saad Sheikh Ahmed (Abajano), EFP Party
2. Hussein Adan Haji (HajiHuska), EFP Party

Health

There is a total of 116 health facilities in the county and 1520 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. ::data[format=table]

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: ::data[format=table]

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

::data[format=table]

Constituencies of Mandera County	Map	Constituency Names	Constituency No.	Approximate Population (2022)
[[File:Mandera-County.svg	300px]]	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
::

References

References

1. "2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census Volume I: Population by County and Sub-County".
2. "GCP". KNBS.
3. (2025). "KNBS, Gross County Product 2025". Knbs.
4. (2018). "Mandera County Integrated Development Plan CIDP 2018-2022". Mandera County Government.
5. "2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census Volume IV: Distribution of Population by Socio-Economic Characteristics".
6. [https://mandera.go.ke/demographics/ Mandera Demographic]
7. Munene, Evans. (2019-11-04). "2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census Results".
8. [http://www.citypopulation.de/php/kenya-admin.php Kenya: Administrative Division population statistics]
9. "Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government".
10. (2010). "The Report of the Interim Independent Boundaries Review Commission (IIBRC): Delimitation of Constituencies and Recommendations on Local Authority Electoral Units and Administrative Boundaries for Districts and Other Units".
11. "Governors & Deputy Governors".
12. "H.E. Capt Ali Ibrahim Roba- Mandera County Governor – Mandera County".
13. "Members of the Senate {{!}} The Kenyan Parliament Website".
14. "Mohammed Maalim Mahamud".
15. "Women Representatives {{!}} KEWOPA KENYA".
16. "Amina Gedow Hassan".
17. "179. County executive committees – Kenya Law Reform Commission (KLRC)".
18. "Omar Mohamed Maalim Hassan".
19. "Hon. Hassan, Omar Mohamed Maalim {{!}} The Kenyan Parliament Website".
20. "Kulow Maalim Hassan".
21. "Hon. Hassan, Kulow Maalim {{!}} The Kenyan Parliament Website".
22. "Omar Mohamed Maalim Hassan".
23. "Hon. Hassan, Omar Mohamed Maalim {{!}} The Kenyan Parliament Website".
24. "Abdi Mude Ibrahim".
25. "Hon. Ibrahim, Abdi Mude {{!}} The Kenyan Parliament Website".
26. "Adan Hajj Ali".
27. "Hon. Ali, Adan Haji {{!}} The Kenyan Parliament Website".
28. "Bashir Sheikh Abdullah".
29. "Hon. Abdullah, Bashir Sheikh {{!}} The Kenyan Parliament Website".
30. [https://info.mzalendo.com/place/ward-fino/ Fino Ward]
31. [https://info.mzalendo.com/place/ward-Mandera/ Takaba South Ward]
32. Manderacounty-Admin. "Health Services".
33. (2009). "Kenya Demographic Health Survey 2008-09".
34. (2018). "Kenya HIV Estimates Report 2015".
35. Manderacounty-Admin. "Roads, Transport and Public Works".
36. "Publications".
37. Manderacounty-Admin. "Trade, Industrialization and Co-operative Development".
38. "CIDP Marsabit 2018-2022".
39. "Delimitation of Constituencies and Recommendations on Local Authority Electoral Units and Administrative Boundaries for Districts and Other Units".

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