Kailahun District

Kailahun District is a district in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone. Its main town and largest city is Kailahun. The second biggest city is Segbwema. Other important towns are Koindu, Pendembu, and Daru.

The district borders Kenema District to the west, Kono District to the north, the Republic of Liberia to the east, and the Republic of Guinea to the north. The Moa River forms part of the border with Guinea. The area of Kailahun District is 3,940 km².

Farming, diamond mining, and trade are important jobs for people there. Most people in the district are Muslims, but there are also Christians. The district supports the Sierra Leone People's Party. It is also where former president Ahmad Tejan Kabbah was born, in Pendembu.

Government and politics

Kailahun District has a district council form of government. It is led by a District Council Chairman, who is chosen by the people every four years. The current chairman is Sahr Ahmed Lamin from the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP), which won the 2018 election.

The district strongly supports the SLPP, the ruling party in Sierra Leone. In elections, the SLPP usually wins with large majorities.

Radio

Kailahun District has local radio stations that help people stay informed and connected. These include Radio Moa FM 105.5 Kailahun, SLBC 95.1, and Radio Kissi Bendu FM 107.3 Koindu. Listening to the radio is a good way to learn about the community.

Demographics

Most people in Kailahun District are from the Mende ethnic group. But the district also has people from other groups, like Mandingo, Kissi, Fula, Gola, and Vai. Near the border with the Republic of Liberia, most people are Vai, Kissi, or Gola.

Economy

Kailahun has a mixed economy with small-scale mining and farming. Important crops include coffee, cacao, and rice. The local government collects property taxes with help from the Revenue Development Foundation.

Administrative divisions

Chiefdoms

Major towns

Kailahun District has several important towns. The largest city is Segbwema. The district headquarters is Kailahun. Other major towns include Pendembu, Koindu, and Daru. There is also a place called Bunumbu ETU-SL.

Pre-2017 Prior to the 2017 local administrative reorganization, Kailahun District was made up of fourteen chiefdoms as the third level of administrative subdivision. Dea – Baiwala Jaluahun – Segbwema Jawei – Daru Kissi Kama – Dea Kissi Teng – Kangama Kissi Tongi – Buedu Luawa – Kailahun Malema – Jojoima Mandu – Mobai Peje Bongre – Manowa Peje West – Bunumbu Penguia – Sandar Upper Bambara – Pendembu Yawei – Bandajuma

Post-2017 After the 2017 local administrative reorganization, Kailahun District has made up of fifteen chiefdoms as the third level of administrative subdivision. Dea – Baiwala Jahn(Gbeika) – ? Jaluahun – Segbwema Jawei – Daru Kissi Kama – Dea Kissi Teng – Kangama Kissi Tongi – Buedu Luawa – Kailahun Malema – Jojoima Mandu – Mobai Peje Bongre – Manowa Peje West – Bunumbu Penguia – Sandar Upper Bambara – Pendembu Yawei – Bandajuma Notes Formerly part of Jaluahun Chiefdom.

Notable people from Kailahun District

Kailahun District has been home to several important people. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah was the President of Sierra Leone. Steady Bongo is a famous Sierra Leonean musician. Hindowa Momoh was President of the National Union of Sierra Leone Students. Robin Faley is a politician and represents Segbwema in government.