Peace
actors in Wajir in procession to mark the International Day of Peace.
Traditional
dancers entertain guests during the day to mark the International Day of Peace.
Traditional
dancers entertain guests during the day to mark the International Day of Peace.
Peace actors in Wajir have hailed the strides made in fostering harmony in the county, attributing the progress to the tireless efforts of the Wajir Peace Actors Forum (WPAF).
Speaking during celebrations to mark the International Day of Peace at Orahey grounds, leaders and stakeholders acknowledged the gains achieved but warned that challenges remain.
Resource-based communal conflicts, boundary disputes, and the persistent threats of drug and human trafficking were cited as key issues undermining the county’s social fabric.
Khalif Hirbate, the county executive in charge of special programmes, public service and county administration, emphasised the need for urgent and coordinated responses.
“Today, we reaffirm our collective commitment to building and sustaining peace in Wajir County. We do so in solidarity with communities across the world who are striving for harmony amidst adversity. This global observance reminds us that peace is not merely the absence of conflict—it is the presence of justice, equity, and shared prosperity,” he said.
Hirbate commended the WPAF, describing it as a beacon of collaboration that brings together the national and county governments, civil society, development partners and grassroots communities.
“Through regular engagements, joint interventions and coordinated action, WPAF has fostered a culture of dialogue and mutual understanding,” he noted.
Wajir has recently enacted the Peacebuilding and Conflict Management Act, 2024, which provides a legal framework to institutionalise peace structures and create mechanisms for coordinated conflict response.
While appreciating stakeholders who contributed to the law’s passage, Hirbate cautioned that legislation alone is not enough.
“The true measure of its impact lies in its effective implementation. It is therefore imperative that we prioritise operationalisation through robust regulatory instruments, inclusive institutional frameworks and sustained stakeholder engagement,” he said.
Adan Abdi Ahmed, acting director for peace and cohesion in the county, echoed the call, urging residents to become agents of peace.
“That is why today’s theme, ‘Act Now for a Peaceful World,’ is a call to action. A call to each one of us—leaders, citizens, youth, elders and institutions—to speak out against violence, mediate where there is division, and build bridges where there are walls,” he said.
He described the enactment of the Peacebuilding and Conflict Management Act as a historic milestone, saying it reflects leadership’s commitment to institutionalising peace.
Wajir was this year rated the safest county in Kenya in the national economic survey, a recognition Ahmed said carried weighty implications.
“It enhances our attractiveness to investors, strengthens the viability of government and private sector projects, and reaffirms that peace is the foundation of sustainable development,” he added.
Local peace actor Fatuma Mohamed also lauded the progress but urged residents not to become complacent.
“My appeal to all of us is let us carry the spirit of this day beyond these grounds. Let us act now—in our homes, our schools, our places of worship, and our institutions—to build a peaceful Wajir, a peaceful Kenya, and a peaceful world,” she said.
Her remarks echoed those of DCI boss Mohamed Amin, who, during a tour of Wajir in Ma,y acknowledged the county’s stability but warned residents to remain vigilant.
“The security situation in Wajir County remains stable, thanks to effective coordination among security teams and residents. But we must remain vigilant,” he said.
