Rhamu Raamo Raaxa | |
---|---|
Town | |
Nickname: Town of the sweet water | |
Coordinates: 03°56′15″N41°13′13″E / 3.93750°N 41.22028°E | |
Country | Kenya |
County | Mandera County |
Population | |
• Total | 143,850 |
Rhamu (Somali : Raamo), known to the locals as "shantooley", is a town in the Mandera County of Kenya situated in the northeastern part of Kenya, along the River Dawa. The town lies within a semi-arid region characterized by dry and hot conditions, with limited rainfall and sparse vegetation. It is largely populated by the Degodia tribe, which forms majority of the Mandera north constituency settling in the wards of Ashabito, Guticha, Rhamu, Dimtu and Garre murule as well as a substantial settlement of somalis. The town was previously built by the british colonial administration.
Rhamu is located at the international border between Kenya and Ethiopia. Due to its proximity to Ethiopia, Rhamu has historically been a center for cross-border trade. Local traders engage in the exchange of goods, including livestock, agricultural products, and other commodities with their Ethiopian counterparts.
The town serves as the Headquarters of the vast Mandera north constituency.
Rhamu is located in extreme northeastern Kenya, at the border with Ethiopia, approximately 76 kilometres (47 mi), by road, west of Mandera, where the headquarters of the county are located. [1] This lies approximately 940 kilometres (584 mi), by road, northeast of Nairobi, the capital and largest city in the country. [2] The coordinates of the town are:3°56'15.0"N, 41°13'13.0"E (Latitude:3.937499; Longitude:41.220277). [3]
In 1977, the town was the location of what became known as the Rhamu Incident. [4] More recently, in 2014, ethnic conflict erupted between the Degodia and Garre, with some of the combatants coming from neighbouring Ethiopia, across the Dawa River. At least twenty people died in that conflict, with an estimated 13,000 internally displaced from their homes. [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
The Elwak–Mandera Road passes through the middle of town. Rhamu is serviced by Rhamu Airport. [10]
In September 2014, the Kenya Red Cross estimated the population of the Rhamu at about 40,000. [5] Rhamu serves as a significant trading center for the surrounding rural communities. The population of the town consists primarily of ethnic Somali residents, with a mix of other ethnic groups present as well.
The economy of Rhamu is predominantly driven by trade and agriculture. The town serves as a hub for local farmers, livestock herders, and traders who bring their products to the local markets. Livestock, such as camels, goats, and sheep, play a crucial role in the livelihoods of the residents.
The Garre are a prominent Somali clan that traces its lineage back to Samaale, who is believed to have originated from the Arabian Peninsula through Aqiil Abu Talib. The Garre clan is considered to be a sub-clan of the Digil-Rahanweyn clan family, which is part of the larger Rahanweyn clan. However, genealogically, they are descended from Gardheere Samaale. The Garre are also categorized as southern Hawiye as well.
The Dir is one of the largest and most prominent Somali clans in the Horn of Africa. They are also considered to be the oldest Somali stock to have inhabited the region. Its members inhabit Djibouti, Somalia, Ethiopia, and northeastern Kenya.
Mandera is the capital of Mandera County in the former North Eastern Province of Kenya. It is situated at around 3°55′N41°50′E, near the borders with Somalia and Ethiopia.
Murule is a sub-clan of the Hawiye and the larger Gugundhabe Hawiye clan. It is one of the major Somali clans and has produced many prominent historical Somali figures.
Filtu is one of the woredas in the Somali Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Liben Zone, Filtu is bordered on the south by the Dawa River which separates it from Moyale and Udet, on the west by the Oromia Region, on the north and east by the Ganale Dorya River which separates it from the Afder Zone, and on the southeast by Dolo Odo. The major town of this woreda is Filtu.
Dolo Addo or Dolo Ado or Dollo Ado is one of the woredas in the Somali Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Liben Zone, Dolo Ado is located in the angle formed by the confluence of the Ganale Dorya with the Dawa River, and bordered to the northwest by Filtu, on the northeast by Afder Zone, on the southeast by Somalia, and on the south by Kenya. Towns in Dollo Ado include Koole, *Helaweyn, and #Buur, Dolo and Suftu. It is home to Garimarro and Degodia who are living in dollo ado.
El Wak, also Elwak, is a town in Kenya, on the international border with Somalia. The name El Wak translates into "the well of God". There are about 50 wells spread across the town, each approximately 60 feet deep with interconnected underground passages.
Filtu is the capital city of '"Liben Zone"' Filtu is a town in southern Ethiopia. Located in the Liben Zone of the Somali Region, it has a latitude and longitude of 4°58′N40°23′E with an elevation of 1252 meters above sea level. It is the administrative center of Filtu woreda. During the Italian occupation, a road 115 kilometers in length to Negele Boran was maintained but not paved.
The Mandera triangle is a geographical region in Eastern Africa where the countries of Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia meet. The tri-border region is centered on the city of Mandera in Mandera County and corresponds with the Juba and Shabelle river basins.
Adan Abdulla Mohammed is a prominent Kenyan banker and entrepreneur. He previously served as the managing director of Barclays Bank in East and West Africa. In 2013, he was sworn in as the Cabinet Secretary for Industrialization of Kenya.
Lafey Constituency is a constituency in Mandera County, Kenya. It is one of six constituencies in the county. The town of Lafey is the capital of the constituency, and is located at around 3°55′N 41°50′E / 3.917°N 41.833°E, near the border with Somalia.
Mandera Airport is an airport in Mandera, Kenya.
The Elwak–Mandera Road, is a rural road in Kenya. The road links Elwak, to the town of Mandera, in the country's extreme northeast, near the tri-point where the borders of Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia meet.
Sathe is a town in Ethiopia.
Lafey is a town and sub-county in the Mandera County of Kenya. It sits in the northeast part of the country, at the international border with Somalia.
The Garissa–Nuno–Modogashe–Wajir Road is a road in Kenya, connecting the towns of Garissa, Nuno, Modogashe and Wajir.
Rhamu Airport is an airport in Kenya.
Isiolo–Mandera Road, is a road in Kenya. It is a major transport route linking north-central Kenya to Kenya's northeast. The counties that the road traverses are generally arid, and have hitherto been undeserved. This road project is the largest and most expensive infrastructure project in northeastern Kenya since the country became independent in 1963.
Saransoor is a Somali Samaale clan family, among the largest by population and by area, inhabiting a traditional territory in Somalia spanning from Qorahsin, Hiran, to Ras Kamboni, Lower Jubba. In Kenya's North Eastern Province, Saransor make up the majority of the inhabitants of Wajir and have a significant presence in Mandera County they also have large population in Marsabit County and Isiolo County and Nairobi. In Ethiopia, a majority of the population of Liben Zone is Saransor they have very large population in Afdher, Dollo, Shabelle, Jarar, Dira Dawa and Jijiga.