Wajir Leaders Launch Urgent Peace Initiative After Deadly Clashes in Arbajahan
Leaders in Wajir County have moved swiftly to contain rising tensions in Arbajahan, Wajir West, after violent clashes between two sub-clans left two people dead on Saturday. The conflict, sparked by a long-running dispute over communal land, triggered fears of further retaliation and instability in the region. In response, a high-powered delegation led by Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi convened in the area on Sunday, bringing together political leaders, security officers, elders, business figures and professionals in an urgent bid to restore calm and prevent the situation from escalating.
During the peace mission, Governor Abdullahi condemned the loss of life, describing it as deeply tragic and avoidable. He urged the two sub-clans to immediately stop the violence and return to the spirit of brotherhood that has guided their coexistence for decades. The governor emphasized that no boundary disagreement should justify bloodshed and called on elders and community influencers to lead reconciliation efforts. His message was echoed by Wajir West MP Yussuf Mohamed Farah, who praised the swift community response that had already helped ease tensions. MP Farah appealed for dialogue over confrontation, stressing that lasting stability could only be achieved when local communities work together and prioritize peace over provocation.
Following several hours of discussion, representatives from both sides agreed to a ceasefire and committed to continued negotiations overseen by elders, peace committees, and local administrators. Community elder Mohamed Hussein reaffirmed the commitment of both groups to sustained dialogue, noting that disputes over grazing land, settlement areas, and borehole access have historically contributed to similar flare-ups. He urged residents to uphold the newly agreed peace accord and remember the shared history and kinship between the two sub-clans. As reconciliation efforts move forward, leaders have vowed to strengthen mechanisms that prevent territorial confrontations, ensuring that long-standing land grievances do not undermine stability and development in Wajir West.