Wajir, Kenya – November 21, 2023 – Wajir County leaders have called on the national government to urgently release emergency funds to address the catastrophic effects of the ongoing El Niño rains, which have claimed at least four lives, displaced thousands, and left many residents stranded.
Governor Ahmed Abdullahi warned that the county’s resources are stretched to the limit. Our helicopters have been deployed to evacuate those trapped by rising waters, but the sheer intensity of the rains and saturated ground have overwhelmed us. Without additional logistical support, more lives are at risk, he said. Abdullahi also highlighted the plight of livestock, the county’s primary livelihood, noting that many animals are trapped in mud, threatening both food security and income for residents.
Members of parliament, including Adan Keynan of Eldas and Wajir Senator Abass Sheikh, echoed the call for swift intervention. Keynan emphasized the deteriorating road network, particularly the route linking Wajir, Mandera, and Garissa counties, which is hindering the delivery of essential goods and services. He urged the deployment of Kenya Air Force planes to airlift food and medical supplies. Senator Sheikh lamented the seeming neglect of northern Kenya, stressing that urgent action is needed to prevent disease outbreaks and further loss of life. Meanwhile, Woman Representative Fatuma Jehow Abdi warned that fuel shortages caused by impassable roads are threatening electricity supply, putting the entire county at risk of power outages.
As the county government flagged off 24 tonnes of medicine purchased from Kemsa, officials stressed the need for coordinated national assistance to complement county efforts. Other leaders, including MPs Hussein Barre, Adan Daud, and Yusuf Farah, joined the appeals, underscoring the severity of the situation. The leaders urged President William Ruto to declare the El Niño crisis a national disaster to mobilize resources and ensure timely relief for the affected communities.