Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, with officials from the
Draa-Tafilalet Region of the Kingdom of Morocco, after the signing of the memorandum./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi with officials from the
Draa-Tafilalet region of the Kingdom of Morocco sign the memorandum./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
A new partnership between Wajir and Morocco is set to help make the county more resilient to climate change.
Through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Draa-Tafilalet region, Wajir will gain knowledge in managing water, agriculture and renewable energy in arid environments. The deal is set to launch practical pilot projects in irrigation and water harvesting, key areas for the drought-prone county.
Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, who led the county delegation, described the partnership as a major step toward tackling Wajir’s recurring problems of drought, water scarcity, and low agricultural productivity.
“The purpose of this agreement is to draw from Draa-Tafilalet’s experience in oasis-based agriculture, water harvesting and renewable energy projects in semi-arid environments—knowledge built through Morocco’s Green Morocco Plan and the revitalisation of its oases,” Abdullahi said.
He added that the partnership would help improve water infrastructure, increase crop yields and expand access to affordable, sustainable energy.
The Draa-Tafilalet region in southeastern Morocco is renowned for its oasis-based agriculture and renewable energy projects under the Green Morocco Plan.
Wajir hopes to draw lessons from these models to enhance food security and resource management.
Under the new deal, the county will upgrade its water systems, improve agricultural output and promote clean energy adoption. The collaboration will also facilitate expert exchanges and technical training between the two regions.
The governor was accompanied by speaker Abdille Yussuf Mohamed and other senior county officials.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The partnership between Wajir County and Morocco’s Draa-Tafilalet region marks a progressive step toward addressing long-standing challenges of water scarcity, food insecurity, and energy poverty in northern Kenya. By tapping into Morocco’s proven expertise in oasis-based agriculture and renewable energy, Wajir aims to enhance resilience against climate shocks and drought.
The agreement reflects a growing trend of decentralised international cooperation, where counties pursue tailored development models aligned with local realities. If effectively implemented, the MoU could serve as a blueprint for other arid counties seeking practical, sustainable, and cross-continental solutions to climate adaptation and rural transformation.
