The government has convened an inter-county peace meeting in Isiolo County as a proactive measure to defuse rising drought-related tensions and prevent resource-based conflicts in arid areas.

In a statement posted on its X account on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) said the meeting addressed the close linkage between drought and conflict, with water and pasture scarcity increasing competition and threatening livelihoods.

“Drought and conflict are closely interlinked. Water and pasture scarcity increase competition, threatening livelihoods and escalating the risk of insecurity. Thus, peace dialogue is an essential component of drought response,” NDMA stated.

Inter-county peace dialogue

The government, through NDMA, convened the peace meeting in Sericho, Isiolo County, bringing together stakeholders from three sub-counties to promote dialogue and peaceful coexistence during the current dry season.

The meeting was organised in collaboration with the State Department for Interior and National Administration and attended by NDMA CEO Hared Adan Hassan, Garbatulla Deputy County Commissioner Charles Wandimi, Lagdera (Garissa) DCC Solomon Ruto, and Habaswein (Wajir) DCC William Langat.

“The Government, through NDMA, today convened an inter-county peace meeting in Sericho, Isiolo County, as a proactive early action measure to defuse rising drought-related tensions and prevent resource-based conflict,” the authority said.

“It brought together representatives from sub-county peace committees, sub-county security teams, chiefs, and selected peace and grazing committees from the three sub-counties,” the authority added.

Addressing humanitarian needs

NDMA CEO Hared Adan emphasised that effective drought response must go beyond humanitarian assistance to address the underlying drivers of insecurity in affected areas.

“Effective drought response must address both humanitarian needs and the underlying drivers of insecurity,” the authority stated.

Hassan underscored the need for clear protocols to guide livestock migration and strict adherence to structures established by host communities to prevent conflicts.

“He also underscored the need for clear protocols to guide livestock migration and strict adherence to structures established by host communities, including negotiated access arrangements, to ensure peaceful coexistence,” NDMA said.

Cooperation and gratitude

Habaswein DCC William Langat thanked the Garbatulla community for hosting herders from his sub-county and pledged to engage elders to ensure compliance with grazing guidelines.

“Peaceful coexistence requires cooperation across counties and respect for agreed grazing regulations. I sincerely thank the Garbatulla community for hosting herders from Habaswein. We will engage elders to ensure that the grazing guidelines are adhered to,” Langat said.

Lagdera DCC Solomon Ruto also acknowledged the prevailing calm despite drought pressures, attributing it to sustained peacebuilding efforts by multiple institutions, including NDMA, as well as community peace and grazing committees.

“We appreciate the prevailing peace despite the evident drought stress. This is as a result of sustained peacebuilding efforts by multiple institutions, including NDMA, as well as community peace and grazing committees,” Ruto said.