Wajir

Wajir County is a vast, arid county in north-eastern Kenya, bordering Somalia to the east. It is predominantly inhabited by ethnic Somalis, with a pastoralist economy centred on camel, goat, and sheep herding. Wajir town is the county capital and largest settlement.

The county is characterised by semi-desert scrubland, seasonal rivers (laggas), and acacia bush. It is one of Kenya's most remote and traditional regions, where Somali culture, Islamic traditions, and a resilient pastoralist lifestyle shape daily life.

The cooler dry months of June to October and January to February are most comfortable. The rainy seasons (April–May and October–November) bring brief but crucial rainfall that transforms the landscape.

Wajir Airport (WJR) has flights from Nairobi. The road from Garissa to Wajir (about 300 km) is rough and a 4WD is recommended. Matatus and trucks connect the county's towns.

• Wajir — the county capital, an ancient trading town on the Somali border.
• Habaswein — a town in the southern part of the county.
• Griftu — a settlement in central Wajir.
• Eldas — a town in northern Wajir.
• Tarbaj — a town near the border with Somalia.
• Bute — a trading centre in eastern Wajir.
• Buna — a settlement on the Ethiopian border to the north.
• Hadado — a town in western Wajir.

Somali cuisine dominates: camel meat, goat stew, rice spiced with cardamom and cloves, lahoh (Somali pancakes), and fresh camel milk. Tea with spices (shaah) is a daily staple.

Somali culture is deeply rooted in Islamic traditions, with Eid celebrations, clan structures, and poetry highly valued. Camel herding and livestock markets are central to social and economic life.

• Wajir Market — the vibrant livestock and camel market.
• Wajir Fort — a colonial-era fort.
• Camel milk tasting — sampling fresh camel milk, a staple of the region.
• Wajir Polo Tournament — an annual polo event, one of Kenya's most unique sporting traditions.