Isiolo, Kenya| In a bold move to foster lasting peace amid escalating resource disputes, Halima Gole Abgudo, the Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Cherab Ward, has emerged as a pivotal figure in Kenya’s arid north.
On the afternoon of September 3, 2025, under the presiding eye of Nominated MCA Dekha Bonja, the Isiolo County Assembly deliberated and unanimously passed Abgudo’s groundbreaking motion aimed at mitigating resource-based tensions along the volatile Isiolo-Wajir border.
This initiative not only addresses immediate threats to lives and livelihoods but also sets a blueprint for sustainable coexistence in a region long plagued by conflict.
The Urgency of Peace: Unpacking the Isiolo-Wajir Border Crisis
At the heart of Abgudo’s motion lies a stark recognition of the precarious balance between survival and strife in Kenya’s pastoralist heartlands.
The Isiolo-Wajir border, a lifeline for nomadic communities reliant on shared grazing lands and water points, has become a flashpoint for violence.
Recurrent clashes, often ignited by competition over dwindling resources exacerbated by climate change and unresolved boundary demarcations, have left a trail of devastation.
Lives have been lost in skirmishes, properties razed, families displaced from their ancestral homes, and essential services like education and trade ground to a halt.
Food security, already fragile in this semi-arid zone, faces further erosion as herders are forced to abandon fertile pastures amid fear and insecurity.
Halima Gole Abgudo, a dedicated advocate for her Cherab Ward constituents, brought this pressing issue to the assembly floor with eloquence and urgency.
As an MCA deeply rooted in the local Borana community, Abgudo has witnessed firsthand the human cost of these conflicts. Her motion underscores that peaceful coexistence isn’t just an ideal—it’s an economic imperative.
“Stable borders mean thriving communities,” Abgudo emphasized during the session, highlighting how unresolved tensions stifle cross-border trade, hinder infrastructure development, and perpetuate cycles of poverty.
By spotlighting these interconnected challenges, Abgudo’s leadership has galvanized the assembly into action, positioning her as a beacon of hope for regional harmony.
The house’s deliberations painted a comprehensive picture of the crisis. Drawing from reports and community testimonies, members noted how seasonal migrations turn deadly when herders from both counties vie for the same oases and rangelands.
Boundary disputes, lingering since colonial times and inadequately addressed post-independence, add fuel to the fire. Climate variability, with prolonged droughts pushing communities to the brink, amplifies these pressures.
The assembly’s discussion revealed that without intervention, these conflicts could spill over, threatening broader national stability in Kenya’s northern frontier.
Resolutions for Reconciliation: A Multi-Pronged Approach to Peacebuilding
In a resolute stand, the assembly adopted Abgudo’s motion, directing the County Government of Isiolo—through its Department of Peace, Cohesion, and Conflict Resolution—to spearhead transformative measures.
Key among these is the initiation of inclusive dialogues involving leaders, elders, and grassroots communities from both Isiolo and Wajir counties. These talks aim to bridge divides, foster mutual understanding, and co-create solutions tailored to local realities.
The motion further mandates the establishment of joint resource management frameworks. Imagine shared water committees overseeing equitable distribution of boreholes and dams, or collaborative grazing plans that rotate access to pastures, reducing overexploitation and conflict triggers.
To expedite boundary resolutions, the county will collaborate with national bodies like the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the Ministry of Lands, the Ministry of Interior, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), and security agencies.
This multi-stakeholder approach ensures that disputes are not just mediated but resolved with legal finality. Looking ahead, the resolution integrates peacebuilding and equitable resource-sharing strategies into Isiolo’s County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP).
This forward-thinking integration means that future budgets, policies, and projects will prioritize conflict-sensitive development— from building resilient water infrastructure to promoting alternative livelihoods like beekeeping or eco-tourism.
Abgudo’s vision extends beyond immediate fixes, advocating for long-term investments in education and youth empowerment to break the intergenerational cycle of violence.
Constitutional Anchors: Upholding Kenya’s Legal Framework for Security and Equity
What elevates Abgudo’s motion from rhetoric to enforceable action is its firm grounding in Kenya’s 2010 Constitution.
Article 189 mandates consultation and cooperation between national and county governments on matters of peace and security, providing a clear pathway for inter-county collaboration.
Article 40 safeguards the right to property, including land and natural resources, ensuring that no community is unjustly deprived. Emphasizing fairness, Article 60(1)(c) calls for equitable access to land, a principle directly applicable to the shared resources along the border.
Moreover, Article 238 outlines national security principles, insisting that protection extends to people’s lives, property, peace, stability, and prosperity.
By invoking these provisions, the assembly not only legitimizes its resolutions but also aligns them with Kenya’s devolved governance model.
This constitutional fidelity reinforces Abgudo’s role as a principled leader, committed to using legal tools to drive social change.
Halima Gole Abgudo: A Trailblazer in Conflict Resolution
Halima Gole Abgudo’s stewardship of this motion cements her status as a rising star in Kenyan politics.
Representing Cherab Ward since her election, Abgudo has consistently championed issues affecting marginalized communities, from water scarcity to women’s empowerment.
Her background in community organizing equips her with the empathy and insight needed to navigate complex ethnic dynamics in Isiolo.
Colleagues in the assembly praised her for her meticulous preparation and inclusive style, which ensured broad support for the motion.
This isn’t Abgudo’s first foray into peace advocacy. Previous initiatives under her belt include local mediation forums and partnerships with NGOs to promote dialogue.
With this assembly victory, she signals a shift toward proactive governance, inspiring other MCAs across Kenya to tackle border insecurities head-on.
Broader Implications: A Ripple Effect for Regional Stability
The passage of this motion marks a watershed moment for Isiolo and Wajir, potentially serving as a model for other conflict-prone borders in Kenya, such as those between Turkana and West Pokot or Marsabit and Samburu.
By prioritizing dialogue over division, the assembly reaffirms its dedication to safeguarding livelihoods and promoting prosperity. As climate change intensifies resource pressures, such initiatives could prevent humanitarian crises and bolster national cohesion.
For residents along the Isiolo-Wajir border, hope flickers anew. With Abgudo at the helm, the path to peace seems not just possible, but imminent.
As the county government rolls out these resolutions, the nation watches, eager for a narrative of reconciliation in a region too often defined by rivalry.
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