Agency for Peace & Inclusive Development-APID

APID and its partners held a reconnaissance mission led by Newtech Africon successfully verified 38 proposed CSR project sites across Wajir County in a quest to transform connectivity and strengthening communities. Under the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP) in Wajir.

With this initiative, we sort to go beyond roads development by supporting water access, health facilities, and education infrastructure that directly respond to community priorities. Through field assessments, stakeholder consultations, GPS verification, and social risk observations, the exercise reinforced the importance of inclusive planning and evidence-based implementation.

APID and its partners conducted household outreach, sensitization forums, patrols in high-risk areas, and survivor-centered referrals, the groups are strengthening awareness on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), child protection, and safeguarding practices within vulnerable communities in Kotulo, Tarbaj, Hungai, Lafaley, Halane, and Wagberi.

This activity increased willingness among survivors and community members to disclose concerns reflects growing confidence in the Watch Groups as credible, accessible, and responsive protection actors. GBV Watch group and collaboration with local leadership and security stakeholders has further strengthened community-based accountability and prevention mechanisms.

We also distributed reflector jackets to enhanced visibility, legitimacy, and operational accessibility for Watch Group members, improving responsiveness and coordination within project communities.

At APID, we believe that locally rooted protection structures remain essential in advancing safer, informed, and more resilient communities through continuous engagement, adaptive learning, and people-centered safeguarding approaches.

APID and its partners conducted three consecutive days of toolbox sessions across workers’ camps, engaging 83 participants in Lot 1 and Lot 2.

These interactive sessions created space for open dialogue on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), Sexual Harassment (SH), and the Code of Conduct.

Participation included strong involvement from security personnel, placing emphasis on zero tolerance for abuse, clear reporting channels, confidentiality, and protection against retaliation.

This included a Code of Conduct refresher training, reaffirming workers commitment to safeguarding principles. These efforts strengthened awareness, accountability, and collective responsibility, promoting a safe, respectful, and dignified work environment across all sites.

APID and its partners held a community consultative meeting to discuss request to open two borrow pits at Km 8 and Km 12 for road construction. We took the opportunity to inform the community about procedures, legal requirements, and ensure participation in decision-making.

Community and NGAO leaders present clarified administrative boundaries and acknowledged drought challenges affecting attendance. While the community supports the road project, they raised concerns about challenges faced in the past around open borrow pits including environmental risks due to poor rehabilitation and lack of fencing.

The community recommended safer, alternative sites further from settlements. The contractor committed to fencing, providing security, and restoration measures, and proposed an in-kind community development project.