About Mandera Way Back When Brief History of Mandera County For forever and a day, the place we now call Mandera County had always been the homeland of five Semitic clans, with a long-standing history of surviving in the inhospitable outback. The three dominant clans, Murulle, Garre and Marehan, still attract the most attention. Then and now, for most months of the year, these clans were found either along the stretch of country near Daua River, or thriving around the ancient wells of El Wak, where they water and herd camels, goats and cattle. Mandera supports a scattered population that centres itself on the EI Wak wells, south of the area, and on the water-holes at Takabba. Over the dry season, a few herders use the scanty water supplies at the latter place, the others congregating at EI Wak. But, during and after the rain seasons, the nomadic population spreads northwards into the hilly region, where rock pools and new grass are sufficient to support the people and their herds of camels, cows and goats for a few months. This centuries old way of life was precarious and unpredictable, and while the clan relationship were rarely hostile, they were not cordial either, fueled by the competition for what little resources there were, especially water. Eventually, the Garre people, which has half Somali and half Boran blood, and now speaks Ki-Boran, sought to forge their own path to prosperity. This would later prove to be a quag! Originally, the Boran tribe spread as far east as Mandera, but were gradually pushed westwards, with the Garre community taking over their grazing lands. In the early part of the 20th Century, the Garre found it necessary to move further westwards, as the Somalis to the east had been continually infiltrating into their country. A move that forced the administration in the area to demarcate a line at Derkali-Takabba-Beloble-Wajir, west of which the Somalis were not permitted to penetrate, ergo the country between El Wak and Mandera, including the present area, had always been subject to raids by tribes from north of the Kenya border; as it is on the direct route from Ethiopia to Somalia where livestock was traded. The first western contact of present-day Mandera County was in the early 20th Century. Although travellers entered the Northern Province before the beginning of the twentieth century, the first published reference to El Wak, which lies close to the southern border of the county, was made by Lieutenant L. Aylmer, in 1911. He mentioned the barren country west of the Juba river and referred to the rocky hills northwards towards the Abyssinian (Ethiopia) border. Subsequently, in 1914, J. Parkinson visited the Northern Province whilst conducting a water supply survey. This was followed by several expeditions, under the Geological Survey of Kenya, to make a reconnaissance map of the north-east corner of Kenya, the last of these being in 1950 and 1951 by F. Ayers, an E.C.A. geologist. In short order, the colonial machinery made its debut. On arrival at Mandera, the newcomers merely rode shotgun, and let the already turbulent relationship among the clans, especially between Murulle and Garre clans, work to their advantage. By 1921, the British had introduced small arms and armed the Garre tribesmen to engender their schemes. Later on, during the esoteric 1963 Shifta Wars, the porous border with Somalia amplified the spread of arms, which put eternal strain on the clan-relationships. Into the bargain, Mandera Administrative District of the Northern Province was now a closed district under the Outlying Districts Ordinance; Proclamations Nos. 89 of 1925 and 35 of 1926. Presently, Mandera, a part of the Northern Frontier District (NFD), grew more isolated from the rest of Kenya – neglected due to its remote location and harsh climate. The NFD was administered with minimal direct involvement, and local affairs were largely managed through clan leaders. The NFD, including Mandera, was a focal point of the Shifta War, 1963-1967. An insurgency by ethnic Somalis seeking to rejoin Greater Somalia. The conflict resulted in significant unrest and hardship for the local population, with the Kenyan government implementing strict measures to quell the rebellion. After Kenya gained independence in 1963, efforts were made to integrate the NFD into the newly formed nation. Still, Mandera and other northeastern regions remained marginalized, with limited access to infrastructure, education, and healthcare. Still and all, Mandera County's history is a testament to the resilience and determination of its people. From its pre-colonial roots to its modern-day challenges and achievements, the county continues to strive for progress and development amidst a complex socio-political landscape. Empowering local communities through education, economic opportunities, and participatory governance is vital for the long-term stability and success of Mandera County. Mandera County, in northeastern Kenya, sharing borders with Ethiopia to the north and Somalia to the east, is a place of unique geographical features, cultural diversity, and unique socio-economic activities. Its obscurity stems from the facts that it is a semi-arid block, with rampant insecurity, and limited infrastructure development. Even so, Mandera County harbours many little-known surprises! You Are Here: Mandera County Where to Next? Explore Destinations in Mandera County A Guide to Mandera County A Summa Digest of Mandera About Mandera Way Back When 8 Destinations in Mandera County , arranged as one would visit these - south, north then west - with the aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart: El Wak Ancient Wells , Fort El Wak , Marehan Sandstone , Malka Mari National Park , River Daua , Dandu Hills , Red Sea Resort , Mandera Town Know More About Mandera County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments What's The Lay Of The Land In C.09? For the most parts plain, only exemplified by its low-lying notable rocky hills which rise gradually from 400 ms south at Elwak to 970 ms asl along the boundary with Ethiopia. What's The Air Like In Mandera? Temperatures are always high in Mandera, with a minimum of 24 o Celsius in July and a maximum of 42 o Celsius in February. Rainfall is scanty, unreliable and unpredictable. Know More About Mandera County…

Source Images

  • https://abirikenya.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/mandera-town.jpg
  • https://abirikenya.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/mandera-county-map.png
  • https://abirikenya.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/mandera-county-media-updated.jpg?w=1024
  • https://abirikenya.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/links-2-8.png
  • https://abirikenya.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/garissa.jpg?w=640
  • https://thisiskenyahome.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/mandera-county-distance-chart.png?w=800
  • https://abirikenya.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/mandera1.jpg?w=1024