Ben Fisher, Head of the UK’s Integrated Security Fund and Senior Regional Conflict Adviser at the British High Commission in Nairobi speaking at the ceremony./STEPHEN ASTARIKO.
Wajir South MP Mohamed Adow speaking at the ceremony. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO.
Ben Fisher, Head of the UK’s Integrated Security Fund and Senior Regional Conflict Adviser at the British High Commission in Nairobi and Wajir South MP Mohamed Adow test water from the borehole./STEPHEN ASTARIKO.
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A resident of Geriley fetching water from the newly commissioned borehole. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO.
Wajir County Commissioner Karuku Ngumo speaking at the ceremony. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO.
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Residents of the border town of Geriley in Wajir County have reason to smile following the unveiling of a new community borehole expected to serve about 3,500 households and more than 20,000 livestock.

For decades, the people of Geriley have endured severe water shortages, particularly during prolonged droughts. Access to clean and reliable water has remained a persistent challenge, affecting livelihoods, public health and overall development.

The borehole was unveiled by the UK in partnership with Kenya’s Ministry of Interior and National Administration during a colourful ceremony attended by officials from both governments and local residents.

The project was delivered through the UK-funded Deris Wanaag programme, a flagship initiative aimed at enhancing peace and security in the Kenya–Somalia–Ethiopia borderlands.

The borehole is expected to reduce reliance on unsafe cross-border water sources, ease the burden on women and pastoralists, mitigate resource-based tensions and address vulnerabilities often exploited by extremist groups.

The event was particularly significant as it marked the final intervention and the official close of the Deris Wanaag Project.

Speaking at the launch, Deris Wanaag Project team leader Ibrahim Hussein Somo described the borehole as a reflection of what can be achieved when communities are actively involved in shaping solutions to their own challenges.

He said the project had been identified by local residents as a priority intervention to address climate shocks, which exacerbate recurring drought, water shortages and insecurity linked to resource scarcity.

“This borehole is an example of how flexible and agile donor programming can meaningfully address community and government priorities. Deris Wanaag was not initially designed to deliver a borehole, but the programme was able to respond to genuine needs on the ground,” Mr Somo said.

“As this phase of the project comes to an end, we are proud of the relationships built, the resilience strengthened and the progress made in supporting vulnerable groups and promoting peace across the borderlands,” he added.

The Deris Wanaag Project forms part of the Kenya–UK Strategic Partnership, which has delivered tangible benefits across the country. In the borderlands, the programme has helped counter the influence of Al-Shabaab and strengthened local capacity to prevent radicalisation.

Ben Fisher, Head of the UK’s Integrated Security Fund and Senior Regional Conflict Adviser at the British High Commission in Nairobi, emphasised the value of long-term, community-led partnerships.

“This borehole is a practical example of how collaboration can help communities cope with climate pressures, the influence of violent groups and the risk of conflict over scarce resources,” he said.

To ensure sustainability, the Wajir County Government supported technical assessments, hydrological surveys and the installation of a power generator, strengthening local ownership.

Local leaders welcomed the project, saying access to safe water would ease daily hardship, support pastoralist livelihoods and reduce tensions during droughts.

Wajir South MP Mohamed Adow thanked the UK and Kenyan governments, saying the borehole would ease decades of water scarcity and contribute to peace and stability in the region.

Deris Wanaag, meaning “good neighbourliness”, is a regional peace and security programme integrating development, security and peacebuilding to reduce instability in the Kenya–Somalia–Ethiopia border areas.