Challenges to pastoralism under the new Kenyan constitution

The 10th Kenya Pastoralists’ Week (KPW) was held in December 2012 in Isiolo County under the banner “Empowering pastoralists to participate in values-driven leadership”. This annual event is organised by a team composed of the Centre for Minority Rights Development (CEMIRIDE), the Pastoral Development Network for Kenya (PDNK), the Kenya Livestock Marketing Council (KLMC), the Resource Conflict Institute (RECONCILE), ActionAid and many others. The focus was on good governance as a prelude to the upcoming general elections in March 2013. It gave grassroots pastoralists an opportunity to discuss strategies to ensure better leadership by men and women pastoralists. With the new Kenyan Constitution, the creation of County Governments, the Equalization Fund, and Youth and Women representation have generated renewed enthusiasm among pastoralist communities for responsive leadership. The structuring of the County Governments is critical for minorities and marginalised communities such as pastoralists, whose rights to manage their own affairs should be protected and promoted. During this event, in the presence of several Members of Parliament and candidates for this year’s general election, CELEP member KLMC made a PowerPoint presentation on the importance of pastoralism as a livelihood and its challenges under the new constitution.

Posted on 4 January 2013 in News, Pastoralism & Marketing, Pastoralism, Policy & Power, Pastoralist Livelihoods & Nutrition, Value of Pastoralism