By Adan Mohamed - Reporter
December 18 2025 - Nomadic pastoralist livelihoods in Mandera County are under severe threat as the ongoing drought continues to intensify across the region, forcing families to migrate in search of water and pasture for their livestock.
Pastoralists from several parts of the county have moved into neighbouring counties as local water sources dry up and grazing fields deteriorate.
In Mandera West and Banisa sub-counties, herders have migrated to Bute in Wajir North, an area believed to have received some rainfall in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, pastoralists from Mandera South and Lafey sub-counties have crossed into parts of Tana River County with their livestock in search of pasture and water.
However, local leaders have raised concerns that some of the migrating pastoralists may be reluctant to return home even after conditions improve, heightening fears of potential resource-based conflicts in host areas.
“The prolonged dry spell has depleted water sources and pasture, forcing many families to move to neighbouring counties in search of survival for their livestock,” said Mandera County Commissioner James Chacha.
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“If urgent interventions are not undertaken, this movement could lead to resource-based conflicts,” he added. The county commissioner urged pastoralists who have migrated to return once the drought situation eases, warning that prolonged displacement could fuel tensions over scarce resources.
“When the drought is over and the rains return, everyone should come back to Mandera. We want to focus on development and avoid creating new problems through resource-based conflicts,” Chacha said.
Pastoralism supports nearly 60 per cent of Mandera County’s population, making the drought a serious threat to food security, livelihoods, and overall stability in the region.
Leaders are now calling on both county and national governments to urgently scale up drought mitigation measures, including water trucking, designated grazing zones, livestock support, and food assistance, to prevent further displacement and ease pressure on host communities.
As dry conditions persist, residents warn that delays in response could deepen humanitarian needs and heighten tensions over increasingly scarce resources.
