Kenya and Ethiopia are strengthening collaboration on the River Dawa Basin project to address the ongoing drought crisis affecting North Eastern Kenya, particularly Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Isiolo counties.

The initiative focuses on a proposed multi-purpose dam on the River Dawa, which forms part of the Kenya-Ethiopia border within the drought-prone Mandera Triangle.

The basin is a critical resource for over three million people, supporting irrigation, livestock production, domestic water supply, and broader livelihoods in one of the region’s most climate-vulnerable zones.

Discussions on borderlands infrastructure

On January 28, 2026, a high-level Kenya-Ethiopia Borderlands Infrastructure Meeting convened at the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, led by H.E. Musalia Mudavadi.

Mandera County leaders, including Governor Mohamed A. Khalif and Deputy Governor Ali Maalim, joined national officials and development partners.

“Alongside H.E Governor @MohamedAKhalif, I participated in the Kenya–Ethiopia Borderlands Infrastructure Meeting… With national institutions and development partners, we aligned on a three-phase programme to accelerate growth, stability, and shared prosperity across border communities.”

The programme covers upgrading cross-border roads, bridges, and trade corridors; expanding reliable power through the national borderlands electrification programme; and advancing the River Dawa Basin programme to enhance irrigation, livestock production, water supply, and climate resilience.

Proposed dam to transform food security and livelihoods

Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi highlighted the dam’s potential: the Dawa River Basin is “more than a lifeline, it is the backbone of survival for over 3 million people across the drought-prone tri-border ‘Mandera Triangle.’”

The proposed dam is projected to hold 2 billion cubic metres of water across a 160 km riverine ecosystem covering approximately 9,000 km², with irrigation capacity for up to 1.2 million acres.

Stakeholders agreed to send a joint delegation to Addis Ababa for coordinated engagement with Ethiopian counterparts to fast-track the project under the Dawa River Basin Initiative.

The initiative comes amid escalating drought in northern Kenya, now in its third month following failed 2025 short rains.

Former Deputy President RigathiGachagua has called on President William Ruto to declare a national disaster to unlock donor support.

“Please, Ruto, think about your fellow human beings in Garissa, Mandera, Wajir, and Isiolo in Tana River. Because of hunger, declare this a national disaster to attract funding,” he urged.