The United Kingdom and Kenya’s Ministry of Interior this week convened a high-level review meeting in Mombasa to assess progress under the UK-funded Deris Wanaag programme.
The programme is a flagship initiative promoting peace, security, and stability across Kenya’s border regions with Somalia and Ethiopia.
The two-day meeting, held on 29–30 October, brought together Regional and County Security Committees, senior government officials, and development partners to evaluate the impact of the programme’s interventions in countering violent extremism, strengthening cross-border cooperation, and enhancing community resilience.
Active for over two and a half years, the Ksh2.5 billion Deris Wanaag programme has delivered tangible results in improving coordination between security agencies and local communities while addressing threats from al-Shabaab and other local conflicts undermining peace.
Speaking at the forum, Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, Dr Raymond Omollo, emphasised that regional peacebuilding efforts must adapt to evolving threats.
“Across the Horn of Africa, insecurity is mutating – from local resource conflicts to transnational threats driven by violent extremism, illicit trade, and climate stress,” he said.
“This engagement is not just about reviewing activities, but refining a vision where border communities are seen as central pillars of Kenya’s and the region’s security architecture.”
Ben Fisher, Head of the UK’s Integrated Security Fund and Senior Regional Conflict Advisor at the British High Commission in Nairobi, reiterated the UK’s long-standing commitment to Kenya’s peace and development agenda.
“This partnership exemplifies the UK’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s efforts in building sustainable peace. By integrating community-led approaches with strategic interventions, we are seeing real progress in countering radicalisation and fostering stability in border regions,” he said.
Ibrahim Somo, Team Leader for Deris Wanaag, praised the collaborative model between the Ministry of Interior and the programme, noting that trust and coordination have been key to success.
“By fostering closer collaboration between security actors and local communities, we are enhancing collective capacity to address the persistent threat of al-Shabaab and advancing our shared vision for sustainable peace,” he remarked.
Deris Wanaag, meaning “good neighbourliness”, blends security, development, and peacebuilding into a unified strategy.
The programme employs both “soft” approaches, such as conflict resolution, community dialogue, and early warning systems, alongside targeted interventions by the Ministry of Interior.
Its work is aligned with broader regional efforts between Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia to create sustainable, locally driven peace solutions.
As the review concluded, participants reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation under the Deris Wanaag framework and ensuring that border communities remain at the forefront of Kenya’s regional peace and security agenda.