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Legal & Regulatory

Full List of All Wards in Mandera County: Everything You Need to Know

  • BY waceke
  • March 15, 2025

Mandera County, a sprawling frontier in Kenya’s North Eastern region, is home to 30 electoral wards across six constituencies. Covering 25,939.8 square kilometers and hosting a population of over 867,457 (2019 Kenya Census), this arid county blends pastoral traditions with emerging economic potential. For Kenyan business professionals, understanding these wards—from Mandera East’s urban pulse to Lafey’s rural reaches—offers a roadmap to tap into a region poised for transformation.

Mandera County: A Northern Powerhouse

Mandera County stretches across Kenya’s North Eastern region, bordered by Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the east, and Wajir to the southwest. Its six sub-counties—Mandera West, Mandera South, Banissa, Mandera North, Mandera East, and Lafey—divide into 30 wards, each with an MCA shaping local priorities. With 175,650 registered voters (IEBC 2017), Mandera’s consumer base, though spread thin, is resilient and growing.

The county’s economy, valued at over KSh 15 billion annually (county estimates), hinges on pastoralism—over 2.5 million livestock—alongside small-scale farming and trade. Governor Khalif’s focus on water infrastructure, security, and market access aligns with Vision 2030, making Mandera’s wards micro-markets worth a closer look. Here’s the full ward breakdown.

Full List of Wards in Mandera County by Constituency

Mandera’s 30 wards span six constituencies, each with distinct economic vibes. Below, they’re laid out with insights into what drives them.

Lafey Constituency

Population: ~80,000 (est.). A northern agro-pastoral frontier.

  1. Sala Ward
    • Profile: Rural, pastoral base near Ethiopia.
    • Business Angle: Livestock trade or solar solutions.
  2. Fino Ward
    • Profile: Remote, livestock and trade.
    • Business Angle: Fodder farming or mobile banking.
  3. Lafey Ward
    • Profile: Trading center, agro-pastoral base.
    • Business Angle: Retail or farm inputs.
  4. Waranqara Ward
    • Profile: Pastoral with small markets.
    • Business Angle: Meat supply or microfinance.
  5. Alango Gof Ward
    • Profile: Rural, farming and livestock.
    • Business Angle: Agro-tech or veterinary services.

Mandera South Constituency

Population: ~200,000 (est.). A southern pastoral hub.

  1. Wargadou Ward
    • Profile: Pastoral, trade growth.
    • Business Angle: Livestock markets or solar energy.
  2. Kutulo Ward
    • Profile: Rural, livestock and trade.
    • Business Angle: Meat trade or consumer goods.
  3. Elwak South Ward
    • Profile: Trading hub, pastoral base.
    • Business Angle: Retail or logistics.
  4. Elwak North Ward
    • Profile: Pastoral with small markets.
    • Business Angle: Fodder production or microfinance.
  5. Shimbir Fatuma Ward
    • Profile: Remote, livestock focus.
    • Business Angle: Mobile markets or solar solutions.

Mandera East Constituency

Population: ~150,000 (est.). The county’s urban core.

  1. Arabia Ward
    • Profile: Rural, near Mandera Town, trade.
    • Business Angle: Consumer goods or agro-processing.
  2. Libehia Ward
    • Profile: Pastoral, trade growth.
    • Business Angle: Livestock trade or solar energy.
  3. Khalalio Ward
    • Profile: Peri-urban, Dawa River access.
    • Business Angle: Irrigation farming or retail.
  4. Neboi Ward
    • Profile: Urbanizing, near Township.
    • Business Angle: Real estate or service hubs.
  5. Township Ward
    • Profile: Urban hub, Mandera Town center.
    • Business Angle: Retail or logistics.

Mandera North Constituency

Population: ~180,000 (est.). A northern pastoral expanse.

  1. Ashabito Ward
    • Profile: Rural, livestock base.
    • Business Angle: Meat supply or farm inputs.
  2. Guticha Ward
    • Profile: Pastoral with small markets.
    • Business Angle: Fodder farming or microfinance.
  3. Marothile Ward
    • Profile: Remote, livestock focus.
    • Business Angle: Mobile markets or solar solutions.
  4. Rhamu Ward
    • Profile: Trading center, agro-pastoral base.
    • Business Angle: Retail or consumer goods.
  5. Rhamu Dimtu Ward
    • Profile: Rural, Dawa River access.
    • Business Angle: Irrigation or livestock trade.

Mandera West Constituency

Population: ~140,000 (est.). A western agro-pastoral mix.

  1. Takaba South Ward
    • Profile: Pastoral, trade growth.
    • Business Angle: Meat trade or solar energy.
  2. Takaba Ward
    • Profile: Trading hub, livestock base.
    • Business Angle: Retail or logistics.
  3. Lagsure Ward
    • Profile: Rural, farming and trade.
    • Business Angle: Agro-tech or consumer goods.
  4. Dandu Ward
    • Profile: Pastoral with small markets.
    • Business Angle: Fodder production or microfinance.
  5. Gither Ward
    • Profile: Remote, livestock focus.
    • Business Angle: Mobile markets or solar solutions.

Banissa Constituency

Population: ~120,000 (est.). A central pastoral zone.

  1. Banissa Ward
    • Profile: Trading center, pastoral base.
    • Business Angle: Retail or farm inputs.
  2. Derkhale Ward
    • Profile: Rural, livestock and trade.
    • Business Angle: Meat supply or microfinance.
  3. Guba Ward
    • Profile: Pastoral with small markets.
    • Business Angle: Fodder farming or solar energy.
  4. Malkamari Ward
    • Profile: Remote, Dawa River access.
    • Business Angle: Irrigation or livestock trade.
  5. Kiliwehiri Ward
    • Profile: Rural, farming and trade.
    • Business Angle: Agro-processing or consumer goods.

Economic Drivers of Mandera’s Wards

Mandera’s wards fuel a KSh 15 billion+ economy rooted in pastoralism but branching into new areas. Livestock—2.5 million cattle, camels, goats, and sheep—generate KSh 10 billion yearly (county data). Small-scale farming, like mangoes and sorghum along the Dawa River in wards like Khalalio and Rhamu Dimtu, adds KSh 1.5 billion. Trade in urban wards like Township and Banissa contributes KSh 2 billion, boosted by cross-border commerce with Ethiopia and Somalia.

Key highlights:

  • Pastoralism: 72% of households own livestock, per 2019 Census.
  • Trade: Cross-border activity in Township and Elwak South grows 5% yearly.
  • Population Density: 33 people per km², with Mandera Town at 106 per km².

The Mandera-Garissa road upgrade (2023) cuts travel to Nairobi (1,100 km) to 16 hours, while the Dawa River supports irrigation in five wards.

Business Opportunities Across Mandera’s Wards

Mandera’s 30 wards offer tailored prospects for 2025. Here’s where to plug in:

Livestock and Agro-Processing

  • Target Wards: Takaba, Ashabito, Shimbir Fatuma, Malkamari.
  • Opportunities: Meat processing, fodder farming, or leather tanning.
  • Why: Livestock exceeds local markets by 20%—an abattoir is planned for 2025.

Retail and Consumer Markets

  • Target Wards: Township, Banissa, Rhamu, Elwak South.
  • Opportunities: FMCG outlets, tech shops, or trade hubs.
  • Why: Urban wards see 6% consumer growth yearly.

Renewable Energy and Infrastructure

  • Target Wards: Waranqara, Gither, Marothile, Derkhale.
  • Opportunities: Solar grids or water harvesting.
  • Why: Only 3% of homes use electricity—solar potential hits 6 kWh/m² daily.

Irrigation and Agriculture

  • Target Wards: Khalalio, Neboi, Rhamu Dimtu, Libehia.
  • Opportunities: Drip irrigation or fruit processing.
  • Why: Dawa River irrigates 9,119 km²—mangoes and bananas are untapped.

Challenges Facing Mandera’s Wards

Mandera’s wards face hurdles that sharp businesses can tackle:

  • Infrastructure: 5% of roads are paved—rural wards like Fino lag in trade.
  • Water Scarcity: 80% rely on seasonal rains—drought cuts yields 25% yearly.
  • Security: Border wards like Arabia face sporadic risks, slowing investment.

These gaps open niches—logistics firms, water tech, or security solutions could turn challenges into cash. In 2023, 30% used improved water sources, with Township at 70%—a rural-urban divide to bridge.