Kenya and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have moved to strengthen their partnership in addressing priority challenges affecting Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) and cross-border communities.
The commitment was made during a high-level meeting chaired by Principal Secretary for the State Department for ASALs and Regional Development, Kello Harsama, in Nairobi.
The meeting brought together an IGAD delegation led by Dr. Fatuma Adan to discuss strategic collaboration in areas critical to resilience, stability and sustainable development.
According to PS Harsama, the engagement was guided by the State Department’s Strategic Plan 2023–2027 and the IGAD Regional Strategy 2021–2025, both of which emphasize coordinated approaches to development, climate adaptation and regional cooperation.
The discussions focused on strengthening coordination between the Government of Kenya and IGAD institutions, particularly in regions facing shared challenges linked to climate change, insecurity, limited resources and cross-border movement.
Key areas identified for collaboration included climate resilience, peace and security, cross-border integration, livestock development, environmental management and the strengthening of early warning systems.
The meeting also explored concrete areas of joint programming aimed at improving livelihoods and building resilience among ASAL and border communities.
Livestock development featured prominently in the discussions, given its central role in the economy and food security of pastoralist communities across the region.
PS Harsama said regional cooperation remains essential in addressing common challenges facing ASALs and cross-border areas, noting that coordinated programming would help advance sustainable development and stability.
The engagement is expected to enhance collaboration between Kenya and IGAD in designing and implementing interventions that respond to the needs of vulnerable communities while promoting peace, environmental sustainability, and economic growth.
The renewed partnership comes at a time when ASAL regions continue to face recurrent droughts, resource-based conflicts, environmental degradation, and other climate-related shocks that require joint and long-term solutions.