The effects of this systemic neglect ripple through society. Persistent abuses erode trust between communities and authorities, heightening social tensions and sometimes sparking conflicts over resources, land, or local power structures. Marginalized groups, already vulnerable due to historical exclusion, face repeated cycles of intimidation and exclusion from civic processes.
The social and cultural context of Wajir deepens these inequities. Patriarchal norms are reinforced through religious and customary authority, creating a political culture that frames women’s participation as culturally inappropriate or destabilizing. Intergenerational bias further marginalizes youth, while poverty constrains their ability to run for office or organize politically. Cross-border insecurity with Somalia and periodic inter-clan conflicts amplify fear and limit public discourse, deterring citizen engagement and reinforcing elite control.
Despite the progressive nature of the Constitution, it has yet to be translated into any local languages apart from Kiswahili. This lack of accessibility has left pastoralist communities feeling excluded and disconnected from the very legal protections meant to safeguard their rights. Security profiling, arbitrary arrests, and harassment remain common experiences for many Somali families, and the repeated questioning of their belonging in Kenya stemming from historical secession movements and perceptions of Somalis as either immigrants or pastoralists reinforces a sense of exclusion.
The effects of climate change deepen existing inequalities. Communities already on the periphery of political and economic structures find themselves further excluded as the environment fails them. Competition over shrinking grazing lands and scarce water sources has intensified, producing rifts within and between pastoralist groups that once coexisted with shared access to resources. Disputes over pastures and watering points have grown more frequent, sometimes escalating into violence.