Efforts to curb recurrent drought-related conflicts in northern Kenya took centre stage as community leaders from Meru, Isiolo and Garissa counties met in Garbatulla for a cross-county peace dialogue.
The forum, convened by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) brought together elders, local administrators, peace and grazing committee members, alongside women and youth representatives, to strengthen cooperation and develop practical approaches to conflict prevention in drought-affected areas.
Speaking during the meeting, NDMA Chief Executive Officer Lt. Col. (Rtd) Hared Adan said peace initiatives must go beyond discussions and be anchored in tangible outcomes, inclusive participation and shared responsibility among communities living along county borders.
He noted that prolonged drought had intensified competition over scarce pasture and water, fueling insecurity in the region.
Participants identified uncoordinated livestock migration, boundary disputes and the spread of illegal firearms as persistent drivers of conflict.
“Fair and responsible sharing of limited resources is essential to easing tensions, because drought was putting community solidarity to the test. Peaceful coexistence could only be sustained through cooperation, compassion and equitable access to pasture and water,” he said.
Local administrators urged communities to adopt planned and negotiated migration during dry spells, warning that spontaneous movements often trigger clashes.
They stressed the role of elders and peace committees in facilitating prior communication, managing expectations and resolving disputes before they escalate.
Kiengu Deputy County Commissioner Laura Kedode said lasting stability in the region depended on continued dialogue and agreed frameworks for sharing resources.
“Communities must work together to protect water catchments, rehabilitate rangelands and establish mechanisms that allow pastoralists and farmers to coexist,” she said.
Adan further called for stronger accountability within peace structures, urging the inclusion of youth and women in decision-making and the implementation of resolutions reached during dialogue forums.
He said visible actions, including recovery of stolen livestock, were necessary to build trust and confidence among communities.
The Garbatulla meeting formed part of ongoing national and county government drought response efforts, which include food assistance, water trucking, and the provision of livestock feeds and veterinary services.
Isiolo and Garissa counties are currently classified in the “Alert” phase, with leaders attributing recurring conflicts largely to prolonged dry conditions and erratic rainfall patterns affecting the region.
