ASAL Humanitarian Network (AHN)

EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES THROUGH CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND COEXISTENCE

Marsabit County

Fostering harmony and resilience in Kenya’s northern highlands

OVERVIEW

Marsabit County is Kenya’s largest county, stretching from the Chalbi Desert to the slopes of Mount Marsabit. Its striking landscapes are home to diverse pastoralist communities who have long endured harsh climatic conditions, water scarcity, and recurring droughts. Despite these challenges, Marsabit stands out as a centre of innovation in community-based adaptation and peacebuilding. The ASAL Humanitarian Network (AHN) works through its members in Marsabit to strengthen livelihoods, promote peaceful coexistence among pastoralist groups, and advance climate resilience. Through local expertise and inclusive approaches, AHN members ensure that humanitarian and development actions address the complex interplay of environment, culture, and conflict that defines Marsabit’s unique context..

Through the ASAL Humanitarian Network (AHN), local member organizations are strengthening community resilience, improving access to basic services, and supporting peacebuilding across Mandera’s six sub-counties. They combine humanitarian assistance with long-term development and governance initiatives, ensuring that local leadership remains at the centre of all interventions. Garissa has long played a central role in Kenya’s humanitarian landscape — hosting large refugee populations, supporting resilience programming, and serving as a coordination hub for ASAL response initiatives. Through the ASAL Humanitarian Network (AHN), member organizations in Garissa are driving locally led action that links emergency response to peacebuilding, governance, and inclusive development..

Organization

  • Strategies for Northern Development (SND)
  • Pastoralist Community Initiative Development and Assistance (PACIDA)
  • IREMO / Marsabit Indigenous Network
  • Marsabit Women Advocacy and Development Organisation (MWADO)
  • Beyond Now Organisation

Areas of Focus

  • Climate adaptation, drought resilience, and sustainable natural resource management.
  • Peacebuilding and inter-communal dialogue to prevent resource-based conflict.
  • Livelihood diversification and support to pastoralist value chains.
  • Gender equality and women’s leadership in community development and advocacy.
  • Humanitarian preparedness, data-driven programming, and early warning systems.

IMPACT AND CHANGE

AHN members in Marsabit have pioneered community-driven approaches that integrate climate action, peacebuilding, and gender inclusion. Their programmes have restored degraded rangelands, enhanced coexistence among pastoralist groups, and created pathways for sustainable livelihoods.

These initiatives have:

  • Reached over 50,000 pastoralists through drought resilience and livelihood recovery programmes.
  • Strengthened early warning and community preparedness systems for drought response.
  • Supported women-led advocacy and economic empowerment networks that promote peace and equitable resource management.
  • Facilitated cross-county collaboration with Isiolo and Samburu on shared ecosystem management.