WAJIR, Kenya- A new community borehole in Geriley, Wajir County, is set to transform life for 3,500 households and 20,000 livestock, easing water shortages and reducing tensions in the Kenya‑Somalia‑Ethiopia borderlands.
The borehole, the final intervention of the UK-funded Deris Wanaag Programme, aims to strengthen stability, livelihoods, and resilience in a region long challenged by drought and insecurity.
The project targets one of the root causes of conflict in the borderlands: scarcity of clean water.
Past competition over water has intensified local disputes and made communities vulnerable to al‑Shabaab influence.
The Geriley borehole provides a reliable source of clean water for both households and livestock, reducing reliance on unsafe cross-border sources.
“This borehole shows how responsive programming can address real community needs,” said Ibrahim Hussein Somo, Deris Wanaag Project Team Lead.
“We are proud of the progress made in supporting vulnerable groups and promoting peace across the borderlands.”
The UK’s Integrated Security Fund, in partnership with Kenya’s Ministry of Interior and local authorities, funded the Sh 2.5 billion programme.
It combines security, development, and peacebuilding strategies—including community dialogue, conflict resolution, early warning systems, and rapid response mechanisms.
For sustainability, Wajir County Government oversaw technical assessments, hydrological surveys, and installed a power generator for the borehole.
Local leaders welcomed the project, noting that reliable water will ease pastoralist hardships, reduce drought-related tensions, and improve community resilience.
“Partnerships like this help communities withstand climate pressures and reduce the risk of radicalization,” said Ben Fisher, Head of the UK’s Integrated Security Fund.
