Drought could cause conflicts in Wajir, warns official

The ravaging drought in Wajir County could spark conflicts, an administrator has warned.

Tarbaj Deputy County Commissioner Andrew Mwiti said pastoralists were migrating from Mandera into the county in search of water and pasture, a thing that could result into a clash with locals.

“Just recently communities from Bojigarey which borders Wajir migrated here and almost clashed with locals at a borehole on the border,” he said.

In an interview with the Nation.co.ke, Mr Mwiti added that the borehole, which serves about 500 families, is now being overused following movement of people from Mandera, rising to about 2000 people.

He said that water levels in five major dams in Tarbaj sub-county was receding fast due to increased consumption.

According to him, to prevent the possible conflict, security agencies and other stakeholders are engaging the locals on how to share the depleted resources without fighting.

Mr Mwiti said he was also in touch with his Mandera West counterpart to reach an agreement on how to maintain peace and contain the ‘alarming’ situation.

He said they are persuading locals to sell some of their livestock for easy adding that most of them find it difficult to let go of their livestock because of their attachment to them.

The situation also threatens to paralyse learning activities since locals are moving in search of water and pasture for their livestock, their main source of livelihood.

Mr Mwiti called on the county government to help contain the situation through water trucking.

He also called on the national government and other non-governmental organisations to help the residents.

Neighbouring Wajir, Mandera and Marsabit are among the most hit counties by the drought.