About WPDA
Born from crisis, built for peace.
Our story
In the early 1990s, Wajir County was consumed by clan conflict, banditry and displacement. From this darkness a locally led peace movement emerged, first driven by women, then embraced by elders, religious leaders, youth and government officials.
The Wajir Peace and Development Committee formed in 1995. It was registered as an NGO in 2003 and renamed WPDA, which has worked in Lower Juba, Somalia, and from 2007 in the Rift Valley during post-election violence.
Our vision
A peaceful, progressive and self-reliant community for harmonious living.
Our mission
To promote sustainable peace, inclusive governance and socio-economic resilience for the people of Wajir and surrounding cross-border communities through strategic partnerships, robust collaboration and evidence-driven advocacy.
Main objective
To establish and promote sustainable peace and development through non-violent conflict resolution, using traditional and modern institutions to improve education, health and community development.
Our history
Conflict in Wajir drives women, elders, professionals and religious leaders to start community peace dialogue.
The Wajir Peace and Development Committee is formed, growing from the Al Fatah council of elders' peace movement.
Registered as an NGO and renamed Wajir Peace and Development Agency.
Begins work in the Rift Valley during the post-election violence.
Supports the Wajir County Action Plan to Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism.
Communities reaffirm the Khorof Harar Peace Accord after cross-border dialogue.
Publishes Workshop Note No. 1 with CHRIPS on resilience to violent extremism.
Public participation shapes the Wajir County Peacebuilding and Conflict Management Act 2024.
Completes an 18-month citizen engagement project and marks the International Day of Peace in Wajir town.
Our values
The principles that guide every decision.
Consultative and inclusive
All voices heard, decisions made collectively, acted upon decisively.
Respectful
Treating every individual with dignity. Personal interactions matter as much as outcomes.
Transparent
Operating with honesty to build trust and credibility across all relationships.
Learning-oriented
Continuous learning, best practices and innovative solutions for sustainable impact.
Balanced and objective
Impartial, unbiased perspectives that account for gender, culture and age.
Pioneering
Continuously seeking cutting-edge approaches for sustainable peace and development.
Disciplined
Strong focus on efficiency, effectiveness and delivering real results.
Caring
Genuine empathy for community challenges and collective well-being.
Peace is built together
Elders, women, youth, faith leaders and government working side by side.
Our approach
Partnership and networking
Alliances with local and international organisations, governments and communities extend our reach and resources.
Community empowerment and inclusion
Communities take part in every phase of a project, from planning to delivery, which builds ownership and self-reliance.
Do No Harm
Interventions are assessed, planned and monitored so they never worsen tensions.
Research
Evidence on regional dynamics identifies needs and shapes our programmes.
Governance board
WPDA is guided by a board of respected elders, educators, faith leaders and rights practitioners.
Mohamed Hassan Mumin, Chairman
Retired paramount chief and co-architect of the Modogashe Declarations on preventing and managing conflict. A respected mediator who has taught home-grown peace methods in South Africa and Somalia.
Asha Abdirahman, member
Educationist and quality assurance officer in Wajir East, once head of the youth for peace network and instrumental in forming the Wajir Peace Committee.
Daniel Peter Mwangi, member
Pastor with the Wajir Catholic ministry, long career in finance in public service, and chair of the Interfaith Council of Wajir County.
Fatuma Mohamed Mire, member
Women's rights and peace activist, former chair of Wajir Women Traders Association and of Wajir Women for Peace. Received the Head of State Commendation in 2004.
Mayow Yussuf Hassan, member
Retired paramount chief who helped mediate the Degodia-Ajuran conflict of the early 1990s. Member of the Al Fatah Council of Elders.
Nuria Abdullahi Abdi, member
MA in Peace Building and Conflict Management, over 15 years in peacebuilding, regional manager at Interpeace. Head of State Commendation, 2004.
Adan Mohamed, member
Muslim scholar whose Islamic peacebuilding knowledge helped resolve clan conflicts in the early 1990s.
Hassan Abdi Abdille, member
Human rights and governance expert, regional coordinator of KNCHR in Northern Kenya, with a Masters in Peace and Security and Human Rights.
Daud Guliye Yakub, member
Livestock specialist with a Master's in Range Management from the University of Nairobi.
Hussein Adan Muhamud, member
Retired senior education officer who helped create a peace education curriculum and set up conflict early warning centres in Wajir.
Oray Adan Hussein, member
Entrepreneur and educationist advocating for women's leadership and access to justice for minorities; sits on school boards in Wajir.
Common questions
Where is WPDA based?
Our office is next to the County Commissioner's Office along Wajir-Moyale Road, Wajir town.
Which countries do you work in?
Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. See the Where we work pages for details.
How can I work with you?
Read the Opportunities page for jobs, tenders, procurement, consultancies, internships, volunteering and partnership.
Partner with WPDA for lasting peace
Partner, volunteer or ask us a question.
Contact WPDA See opportunities