Converging crises, fragmented responses: climate, conflict and governance gaps in the Kenya-Ethiopia borderlands

The Turkana–Omo basin has faced persistent climate-related conflict and livelihood challenges. Straddling the Kenya-Ethiopia border, the region is increasingly affected by prolonged droughts and unpredictable floods, which intensify conflict over resources including water, grazing land and fisheries. The heaviest social and economic costs of these climate and conflict challenges fall on women and youth, who remain structurally excluded from key decision-making processes.

This learning paper draws on a year-long project implementation phase examining the relationship between climate change, conflict and gender equality in the Turkana–South Omo corridor. Through engagement with local communities, government officials, peace structures, women’s groups and civil society organisations, the project found that a key obstacle to resilience is the fragmented nature of governance operating across sectors, borders and formal and informal structures.

Kenya and Ethiopia both have strong policy frameworks on peacebuilding, climate adaptation and gender equality, but implementation remains a challenge. Mandates are siloed, coordination mechanisms are underfunded and political incentives often maintain the status quo rather than encourage collaboration.

Three major governance gaps emerged from the research. First, peacebuilding systems remain informal and poorly coordinated. Second, gender inclusion is largely symbolic. Third, climate adaptation programmes are disconnected from conflict prevention and gender initiatives.

The paper argues that lasting resilience requires more integrated approaches. Key recommendations include formalising governance mechanisms, operationalising pending legislation, strengthening women’s leadership, integrating climate information into peacebuilding systems and investing in shared climate-resilient infrastructure. Without addressing these governance gaps, isolated interventions will continue to have limited impact.

The project is funded by the Austrian Development Agency and is implemented in partnership with TUPADO and EIP. The paper presents strategic recommendations for national governments, regional organisations, county and woreda authorities, civil society and development partners.