Muslims in Wajir Unite in Mass Prayer for Rain as Drought Ravages Kenyan County

Kenya, 8 November 2025 – Hundreds of Muslim residents in Wajir gathered at Orahey Grounds on Saturday to implore Allah for rainfall, as a relentless dry spell continues to devastate the arid region.

In a display of communal solidarity, the faithfuls congregated for "Istisqa" prayers in a collective appeal for divine intervention.

The event, organised by local religious leaders, underscored the desperation felt across the county, where parched landscapes have led to dwindling water sources and the loss of vital pastures for livestock.

They performed two special units of prayer, known as "raka'at", with the congregation bowing in unison, their voices echoing pleas for mercy and forgiveness.

The ceremony culminated in clerics delivering heartfelt sermons that called for repentance, renewed hope, and acts of compassion among the faithful.

Participants, spanning all ages, reflected on the hardships imposed by the drought, which has forced numerous families to abandon their rural homes and migrate towards urban centres in search of water and humanitarian aid.

As the gathering dispersed, many expressed a quiet optimism that the area will soon receive blessed rainfall.

Wajir County, situated in Kenya's north-eastern region, has endured prolonged periods without significant rainfall, exacerbating challenges for its predominantly pastoralist communities.

Local authorities and aid organisations have warned of potential food shortages and increased vulnerability if conditions do not improve.

In stark contrast, just days earlier in Elgeyo Marakwet County, heavy rains triggered deadly landslides, claiming at least 37 lives and displacing hundreds.

The government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura in a statement on Friday said that 11 people are still missing, while nine people are still hospitalised.

Dr Mwaura said Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii is coordinating with his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Wisley Rotich to ensure the affected people get the much-needed humanitarian assistance.

He further said that moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to continue over parts of Western Kenya, the Central Highlands, and the Rift Valley, with increased risk of localized flooding and landslides, particularly in areas where soils are already saturated.

“Members of the public are urged to exercise heightened caution, avoid crossing flooded areas, drive carefully, avoid sheltering under trees during thunderstoms, and remain alert to early warning advisories by the Kenya Meteorological Department and local authorities,” Dr Mwaura said.

While Wajir pleads for a single drop, the Rift Valley mourns the fury of excess rainfall that lashed and caused deadly landslides, highlighting Kenya’s extreme climatic divide.

This mass prayer event highlights the deep-rooted faith that sustains residents amid environmental adversity, serving as both a spiritual refuge and a call to action for broader relief efforts.