Community leaders from Meru, Isiolo and Garissa counties on Monday convened in Garbatulla for cross-county peace talks aimed at addressing recurring conflicts fuelled by prolonged drought in northern Kenya.
The dialogue forum, organised by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), brought together elders, local administrators, peace and grazing committee members, alongside women and youth representatives. The meeting sought to strengthen cross-border cooperation and develop practical, community-led strategies to prevent conflict in drought-affected areas.
NDMA Chief Executive Officer Lt. Col. (Rtd) Hared Adan said peace efforts must go beyond dialogue and result in concrete action, inclusive participation and shared responsibility among neighbouring communities.
He noted that extended dry spells have intensified competition over scarce pasture and water resources, worsening insecurity along county boundaries.
Participants identified uncoordinated livestock migration, unresolved boundary disputes and the widespread availability of illegal firearms as key drivers of conflict in the region.
Adan emphasised that fair and responsible sharing of limited resources was critical to easing tensions, warning that prolonged drought continues to test social cohesion. He said sustainable peace can only be achieved through cooperation, compassion and equitable access to pasture and water.
Local administrators urged communities to adopt planned and negotiated livestock migration during dry seasons, warning that spontaneous movements often trigger violent clashes. They stressed the role of elders and peace committees in facilitating early communication, managing expectations and resolving disputes before tensions escalate.
Kiengu Deputy County Commissioner Laura Kedode said long-term stability would depend on sustained dialogue and clear frameworks for resource sharing.
“Communities must work together to protect water catchments, rehabilitate rangelands and establish mechanisms that allow pastoralists and farmers to coexist,” Kedode said.
Adan also called for stronger accountability within peace structures, urging the inclusion of youth and women in decision-making processes and the implementation of resolutions agreed during dialogue forums. He said visible actions, including the recovery of stolen livestock, were essential to rebuilding trust among communities.
The Garbatulla meeting forms part of ongoing national and county government drought response interventions, including food assistance, water trucking, and the provision of livestock feeds and veterinary services.
Isiolo and Garissa counties are currently classified under the “Alert” phase, with leaders attributing recurring conflict largely to prolonged dry conditions and erratic rainfall patterns affecting the region.
