Wajir gubernatorial aspirant Omar Mohamed Sheikh has become the first candidate in the 2027 race to pledge the division of the expansive Wajir South Sub-county.
He said the move would be his first executive order if elected governor.
The proposal marks the first major administrative reform promise by any candidate seeking the county’s top seat ahead of the 2027 General Election.
During an interview on his governance agenda, Omar argued that Wajir South’s vast land mass and growing population have overstretched the existing administrative structure, making it difficult to deliver government services efficiently.
“My first executive order as Wajir Governor will be splitting Wajir South into two. Wajir South is big in terms of land mass and population,” he said.
He said the move would increase the number of sub-counties in Wajir County from six to seven, with Omar saying resources would be distributed through strengthened sub-county administrations to improve equity and service delivery.
He said creating an additional sub-county would bring the government closer to residents, enhance administrative efficiency, and ensure development resources are allocated more effectively across the county.
The proposal would represent one of the most important administrative changes in Wajir County since the advent of devolution, positioning the restructuring of Wajir South as a key issue in the 2027 gubernatorial contest.
Wajir South, Kenya’s second-largest constituency by landmass, covers vast tracts of arid terrain where sparse populations and immense distances have historically made access to government services difficult.
Wajir South is today approximately 22,000 square kilometres, making it the second largest constituency in Kenya after North-Horr.
Historical boundary changes over the years have significantly reduced its size, underscoring the importance of securing community land rights through registration and effective local governance.
