The Danish Refugee Council/Danish Demining Group’s (DRC/DDG) Kenya program commissioned this conflict sensitive development assessment for Wajir County with the aim of promoting more conflict sensitive policies, programmes and service delivery in the County. The research sought to identify and map how key security and conflict issues relate to and interact with access to livelihood and economic opportunities, as well as the delivery of services and the development efforts by the state, other development actors and the private sector. The research further provides a conflict sensitive review of the Wajir and mandera County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) and its implementation. Finally, the study provides programme and policy recommendations for future engagement with key national and local duty-bearers and stakeholders, as well as DRC/DDG activities.

The study adopted a primarily qualitative approach complemented by a quantitative survey.  Different qualitative data collection tools such as focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs), observations, and desk reviews of relevant literature were used to provide insight into the theoretical/conceptual background of the assessment. This was complemented by quantitative data from a sample of 385 households across all the sub-counties. The next step was to facilitate a collaborative analysis and validation of the findings of the assessment in a one-day workshop with stakeholders, drawn from across the County. Sub-county Commissioners, Members of County Assembly, peace elders, women, and youth among other participants attended the workshop.