Peace at risk: Counties urged to fill funding void after USAID exit

Community organisations spearheading peace-building in northern Kenya are calling on County Governments to urgently step in and fund cohesion efforts following the withdrawal of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) support earlier this year. The plea was made during an inter-county exchange forum that brought together grassroots peace actors and government officials from Isiolo, Garissa, and Mandera in Isiolo County. The forum assessed strides made in addressing cross-border threats and social challenges, including human trafficking, radicalisation, and violent extremism. Residents of Mandera celebrating this years global peace day on September 21, 2025. (Issa Hussein) Participants raised alarm over the growing financial gap in peace initiatives after the halt of USAID funding, triggered by policy changes under the new US administration in January. Isiolo County Executive for Finance, Economic Planning, and Conflict Resolution, Ahmed Luqman, confirmed that the suspension of US foreign aid has significantly strained the region's ability to sustain peace programmes. "Peace-building is now at a critical juncture. The burden has shifted to county governments to ensure these vital programmes do not collapse," said Ahmed. In response, Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo has directed the Department of Cohesion and Peace-building to scale up its efforts to promote harmony among the county's diverse ethnic communities, especially amid ongoing political and resource-based tensions. Mohamed Amin, Programme Officer at the regional pastoralist Peace Link organisation, said radicalisation and human trafficking remain persistent threats. He warned that without proper funding, gains made in sensitisation and community engagement could unravel. "These challenges fuel recruitment into extremist groups, particularly in areas near the Somalia border. Without sustained funding, the fight becomes even harder," Mohamed noted. Leaders from Garissa and Mandera echoed the call for localised funding solutions. Garissa Township Sub-County Administrator Shai Ambe and Mandera's Director for Community Cohesion, Abdirizack Mukhtar, praised the inter-county forum for fostering collaboration and sharing of experiences. Sheikh Ahmed Sett, Chairperson of the Isiolo Interfaith Network, emphasised the need for joint responsibility in preserving peace. "Security is a shared responsibility. Both national and county governments must invest in peace, especially now when donor support is fading," he said. As the threat of extremism looms large and donor dollars disappear, the region now looks inward, hoping local leadership will rise to fill the void before hard-won gains in peace and stability are lost.