Wajir

Wajir

Wajeer
Wajir Wajeer
Town
	Wajir Location within Kenya Wajir Location within the Horn of Africa Wajir Location within Africa
	Coordinates: 01°45′00″N 40°03′00″E / 1.75000°N 40.05000°E
Country	Kenya
County	Wajir County
Elevation	1,200 m (3,900 ft)
Population (2019)
• Total	90,116
Area code	46
Climate	BWh

Wajir (Somali: Wajeer) is the capital of Wajir County in Kenya. It is situated in the former North Eastern Province. The district is primarily inhabited by the Dagodia Ajuran Ogaden Sheekhaal [[Masarre]] communities.

History

A cluster of cairns near Wajir are generally ascribed by the local inhabitants to the Maadiinle, a semi-legendary people of high stature, who are associated with the Somali. 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]

Wajir was attacked by Italian forces in World War II.

Wajir was the site of the Wagalla massacre in 1984. The Kenyan army rounded up as many as 5,000 Somali men of the Degodia clan from their homes on the morning of 10 February. Although the ostensible purpose was to defuse clan fighting, the army held the Degodia captives at an airstrip for five days without water and food, before executing them.

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 / 1.75000; 40.05000. (Latitude:1.75000; Longitude:40.05000). The town is served by Wajir Airport, with flights to Nairobi, Galkacyo and Mogadishu.

Demographics

Wajir is mainly inhabited by Somalis, The 2019 census reported a total population of 150,116 inhabitants.^[1]

Climate

Wajir has a hot arid climate (Köppen BWh).

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 rainfall 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 ^[3]

Administrative divisions

Wajir is the capital of the Wajir County. The county is subdivided into 6 Constituencies (Wajir South Constituency, Wajir East Constituency, Wajir West Constituency, Wajir North Constituency,Tarbaj Constituency and Eldas Constituency. These constituencies are represented by Members of Parliament in the National Assembly. The county has a total of 30 wards.