GARISSA, Kenya – In a concerted effort to address long-standing security and development challenges in Garissa County, a high-level delegation from the European Union (EU), United Kingdom (UK), United States (US), and the United Nations (UN) visited the county on April 29, 2025.
The visit, which marked the first official engagement by the North-East Advisory Group, underscored the commitment of the international community to promoting stability, prosperity, and peace in Kenya’s northeastern region.
The delegation, which included the Heads of Missions from the EU Delegation, the British High Commission, the US Embassy, and the UN Resident Coordinator, engaged with key local and national government officials, including Governor Nathif Jama Adam, County Commissioners, and members of the County Assembly.
Their discussions focused on addressing the pressing issues of poverty, insecurity, and the need for coordinated efforts to foster development.
Garissa County, along with its neighboring regions of Lamu, Wajir, and Mandera, has faced persistent challenges that have hindered economic growth and exacerbated inequalities.
However, the delegation highlighted the potential of the region and the opportunities for growth through greater cooperation between national government, local authorities, civil society, and development partners.
British High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan, emphasized the importance of collaboration in ensuring security and stability.
“This visit demonstrates our shared commitment to driving security and stability in Garissa and other border counties,” he said. “Today was an opportunity to set clear and ambitious goals for the year ahead, working in partnership with national and local governments, as well as civil society and communities. Greater collaboration will ensure a safer and more secure future for Kenya and the wider region.”
Similarly, UN Resident Coordinator Stephen Jackson reaffirmed the international community’s support for Kenya’s efforts to unlock the region’s potential.
“We remain committed to strengthening cooperation and to continue working closely with the Government of Kenya to address the security and development challenges of Kenya’s North-East region and its borderlands,” he said. “We’re working to help Kenya unlock the region’s potential and ensure that no one is left behind.”
EU Ambassador Henriette Geiger also highlighted the critical role of local governments and communities in driving development through the devolution process.
“The European Union is a long-standing partner of Kenya’s devolution efforts,” Geiger noted. “EU-Kenya partnership is strong thanks to investments in infrastructure, human capital, and the green transition under the Global Gateway strategy, which is underpinned by EU-Kenya Strategic Dialogue.”
The visit was not only a symbolic gesture of solidarity but also a call to action to accelerate investments in key sectors such as infrastructure, education, climate resilience, and youth development.
These efforts are aimed at improving the livelihoods of Garissa’s population, particularly women and young people, whose empowerment remains a central focus of development initiatives.
The collective support from international partners, including the UK, EU, World Bank, and UN, to the northeastern region of Kenya has amounted to over KES 188 billion (USD 1.45 billion) from 2017 to 2025.
This funding has been instrumental in addressing critical challenges while fostering sustainable development and peacebuilding efforts.
The visit ended with a renewed commitment to deepen collaboration, with plans for future engagements to ensure that Garissa, along with other marginalized regions, receives the support necessary to secure a more prosperous, stable, and peaceful future.
