At Addis expo, Mandera reports key gains in pastoral land governance

Mandera County has reported key achievements in pastoral land governance as part of a land use planning programme supported by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

The programme, for which IGAD has partnered with the Kenyan government, aims to strengthen the implementation of land laws and associated frameworks to improve land governance, secure land tenure, and manage land, and land use conflicts.

"We made significant strides towards achieving equitable land distribution, modernising land use planning and enhancing the quality of life for the locals " the county's Lands and Urban Development executive, Salah Maalim Alio, said Sunday during the East Africa Pastoralist Expo in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The expo, organised by IGAD and Ethiopia's Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands under the theme "Pastoralist: The East African Mosaic", began on January 26 and will end on February 1.

At least 1,200 stakeholders are taking part in discussions on their strategies for improving the wellbeing of pastoralists as well as their challenges and opportunities. 

Alio shared success stories and best practices from four urban centres - Khalalio, Sala, Rhamu-Dimtu and Kiliweheris. He highlighted traditional maslaha centres that he said were established as an alternative justice system for resolving land disputes.

"We have received several delegates from African countries who were eager to learn from our experience," he added during a panel discussion on supporting and nurturing pastoral land governance as well as heritage and indigenous practices.

Participants during the East Africa Pastoralist Expo in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Janaury 28, 2024. (Photo: IGAD)

During the session, land experts from IGAD and its member states discussed the land use planning undertaken in the Somali Cluster of Dollo Ado in Ethiopia and Mandera in Kenya. Alio noted the support of parties including IGAD and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN).

The Horn of Africa expo kicked off on January 26 and will end on February 2.

During its official opening, Dereje Wakjira, IGAD's director and leader of the Center for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development, said the expo recognises the effects of pastoralism on production and the sustainable management of ecosystems in regions classes as arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).

Twenty nine out of Kenya’s 47 counties are categorised as ASALs. They are Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, Marsabit, Turkana, Samburu, West Pokot, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Baringo, Isiolo, Laikipia, Nakuru, Lamu, Tana River, Taita-Taveta, Kilifi, Kwale, Embu, Kitui, Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, Nyeri, Machakos, Makueni, Kajiado, Narok, Kiambu, Migori and Homa Bay.