Elders and security officials from Isiolo, Wajir and Garissa counties convened in Sericho ward, Isiolo South constituency, for an inter-county peace and security meeting aimed at easing rising drought-related tensions.
The meeting was convened by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with the State Department for Interior and National Administration, and focused on preventing the escalation of resource-based conflicts as livestock from the three counties continue to converge in the area amid a worsening drought situation across arid and semi-arid regions.
Residents of Sericho Location in Garbatulla Sub-County raised concerns over the growing influx of livestock from within Isiolo County and neighboring regions, warning that increased pressure on scarce resources could heighten tensions.
Authorities underscored the need for dialogue, coordination and mutually agreed on resource-sharing arrangements to maintain peace.
The meeting was attended by Garbatulla Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Charles Wandimi, Lagdera (Garissa) DCC Solomon Ruto, and Habaswein (Wajir) DCC William Lagat. It also brought together representatives from sub-county peace committees, security teams, chiefs, and selected members of peace and grazing committees from the three counties.
NDMA Chief Executive Officer Lt. Col. (Rtd) Hared Adan emphasized that effective drought response must go beyond humanitarian assistance and address the underlying drivers of insecurity.
Adan further stressed the need for clear protocols to guide livestock migration and strict adherence to host community structures, including negotiated access arrangements, to ensure peaceful coexistence.
According to Adan, the National Government through (NDMA) was implementing both immediate drought mitigation measures and long-term resilience strategies to cushion affected pastoralists and farmers.
Garbatulla DCC Charles Wandimi emphasized that orderly and negotiated access to water and pasture remains the only sustainable way for communities to coexist peacefully during drought periods.
Wandimi said that the early intervention would play a key role in mitigating the effects of drought, with over 600 bags of rice and 500 bags of beans expected to be distributed to vulnerable locals.
DCCs Solomon Ruto from Habaswein sub county in Wajir County and William Lagat from Lagdera Sub County in Garissa county committed to engaging elders to ensure compliance with agreed grazing regulations
Abdulahi Molu, an elder from Garbatula had expressed his fears that tension and competition for resources could lead to escalation of conflicts and also expressed his fears that the available resources could be depleted due to the large numbers of livestock already in the area.
Another resident, Hassan Omari who is a herder in Sericho area urged the government to do more to help residents in the drought stricken area cope with the tough drought conditions.
He said that the area residents are in urgent need of food and water. Omari also expressed his concerns over the influx of people and livestock that he was witnessing and warned that the available resources could not be enough to sustain everyone.
The meeting was supported by NDMA under the Towards Ending Drought Emergencies (TWENDE) Project, which promotes integrated early-action approaches linking drought risk management with peacebuilding and inclusive governance.
The discussions came against the backdrop of poor performance of the October–December 2025 short rains, which has led to rapid depletion of water and pasture resources.
The situation has increased pressure on livelihoods and food security, with Mandera County currently classified by NDMA as being in the Alarm drought phase. Nine other counties – Turkana, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kilifi, Kwale and Tana River remain in the Alert phase
