The five-year USAID STAWI activity is working alongside county governments across the northern and southeastern counties of Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana, Wajir, Kitui, Makueni, and Taita Taveta to advance water security for social, economic, and environmental needs. STAWI is helping to reverse historic neglect and enabling the GOK and USAID to achieve their ambitious objectives for inclusive economic growth while building resilience to the region’s unique shocks and stresses. 
The arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) are critical to Kenya’s economy, covering 89 percent of Kenya’s land area, with 70 percent of the country’s livestock herds and more than 90 percent of the wildlife that supports the tourism industry. The ASAL population is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, which are predicted to become more acute in the future. The combination of historic marginalization, population growth, and environmental shocks has increased competition for resources, triggered conflict, and perpetuated poverty, leaving more than 1.6 million people experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity and only 55 percent of the population with access to safe drinking water in STAWI’s nine target counties.  

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