Calls for state, donor collaboration as pastoralist leadership summit starts in Wajir
Calling for greater integration into Kenya's national development agenda, the event's patron Dido Raso noted the challenges that pastoralist communities face.
The Pastoralist Leadership Summit, themed "Unlocking Policy and Financial Bottlenecks to Maximise Pastoralism Potential in Kenya", has kicked off in Wajir County with calls for greater inclusion into government dominating early discussions.
The summit which has brought together 600 delegates from Kenya's 15 pastoralist communities aims to address the sector's unique challenges while fostering collaboration to unlock its full potential.
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While welcoming participants to his county, the host, Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, who is the Council of Governors (COG) chairperson sparked off critical discussions on policy reforms and financial investments.
"Although devolution has been a game changer in ensuring our people's well-being, there are gaps that can only be filled through national government and donor collaboration," he said.
Highlighting Mandera County's commitment to the summit's goals, the chairperson of the Pastoralist Parliamentary Group Bashir Sheikh Abdullahi, emphasised the importance of the event.
"This platform is a chance for structured dialogue, collaboration, and actionable solutions. The transformation of our communities has been long overdue," he said.
Calling for greater integration into Kenya's national development agenda, the event's patron Dido Raso noted the challenges that pastoralist communities face.
"Issues such as climate change, drought, and flooding have continually disrupted livelihoods in pastoralist regions. We need the support of the national government to resolve some of these challenges so that the pastoralist economy can significantly contribute to the country's resources," he said.
Kajiado Woman Rep Leah Sankaire, who is the chairperson of the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA), passionately called for a more structured government approach to livestock rearing.
"It is about time that we, as pastoralists, come together and ask the hard questions. We need the government to be involved in cattle rearing from birth to marketing, just like it is done with coffee and tea," she said.
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