Summit remarks · 10 December 2024
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am honoured to participate in this important event and address this esteemed gathering of leaders from Kenya’s pastoralist communities. Previous editions of this forum have not only been enlightening but have also provided valuable insights that informed the development and implementation of crucial policies, programmes and projects. I am confident that the 4th Pastoralist Leadership Summit will uphold this tradition and deliver meaningful outcomes.
This forum underscores the aspirations of our pastoralist communities for resilience, productivity, sustainability, and economic diversification. It also demonstrates our shared commitment to pursuing and achieving inclusive growth at all levels as the people of Kenya.
The work set out for this summit is both substantial and significant, requiring pastoralist leadership to rigorously evaluate the implementation progress of policies, programmes, and projects, identify gaps in strategies, and formulate a clear way forward to enhance pastoral value chains, unlock development financial resources, generate higher incomes, and promote inclusive economic transformation.
This summit must also address policy weaknesses and implementation bottlenecks while developing effective mechanisms to create more opportunities for all, especially for the youth. The implicit message that consistently emanates from this forum is clear: by working together in unity, we can overcome historical marginalisation, promote inclusion, foster equity, and deliver prosperity.
I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to our development partners, who have been strong supporters of this organisation. In particular, I thank the Swiss Ambassador, His Excellency Mirko Giulietti, and the UNDP team led by Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa. Your consistent support has been invaluable and has gone a long way to facilitate the implementation of important strategic objectives. Thank you for complementing the government’s support for this event.
To build on the foundation of previous summits, pastoralist leadership must effectively address financial and policy challenges hindering the full realisation of the economic potential of pastoralist peoples and regions. Key areas that call for strategic attention include ending drought emergencies, scaling up fodder production, formulating a camel value chain strategy, privatising livestock vaccines, and improving the overall livestock sector.
Like its predecessors, this summit is a critical forum for advancing key agendas, and its legacy reflects positive impacts. The first summit, held in Narok in 2014, shone a spotlight on peace, security, and the infrastructure deficit, which required urgent attention. In 2016, the Isiolo summit advocated for the operationalisation of the Equalisation Fund and the expansion of livestock markets. The Garissa summit in 2019, for its part, focused on socio-economic development, counter-radicalisation, and the promotion of community climate resilience.
Your deliberations are not in vain because we are a responsive government committed to delivering economic transformation aligned with the people's aspirations. Therefore, when leaders strike consensus, the government must act. As you know, the policy and institutional outcomes of past summits include the implementation of the Equalisation Fund, the Livestock Marketing Board, and the National Livestock Insurance Programme. These initiatives have been implemented to reflect our commitment to partner with you to enhance drought resilience and promote sustainable development.
Recognising persistent disparities in ASAL regions, the government launched the $2 billion North and North Eastern Development Initiative (NEDI) to address historical neglect and promote inclusive growth. To enhance its effectiveness going forward, I have directed that its implementation be coordinated under my office.
The newly established Livestock and Livestock Products Marketing Board is key to organising pastoralists into cooperatives and ensuring equitable market access. The Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture will expedite the appointment of board members to get the institution up, running and operational.
Ladies and gentlemen, the modernisation of pastoralist economies is crucial. This can be achieved by promoting the adoption of modern cooperative frameworks to manage production and increase the productivity of livestock and natural resource value chains. In this connection, I have instructed the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives to strengthen cooperative movements in Northern Kenya and work with counties to train those responsible.
Additionally, the Equalisation Fund continues to mitigate marginalisation, having supported 1,236 projects in 34 counties and directly impacting over six million Kenyans through initiatives such as borehole drilling, health facility upgrades, and construction of classrooms.
To complement these efforts, the Hunger Safety Net cash transfer programme supports 133,800 households with Ksh. 5.4 billion allocated for the 2024/2025 financial year. This intervention alleviates the impacts of drought and ensures no Kenyan is left behind.
The Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project, connecting Isiolo to Mandera, is a transformative 740-kilometre initiative integrating road infrastructure, fibre optic connectivity, and community development. We will work with leaders to manage and prioritise compensation issues to ensure the project is completed by 2028.
We are also relying on the potential in digital innovation, including e-Livestock Markets and the planned ASAL Digital Fund, to further strengthen pastoralist resilience through research, early warning systems, and technology adoption.
In line with our strong partnership with pastoral communities and our strategic commitment to unlocking the potential of arid and semi-arid rangelands and other pastoral areas, I commit that the resolutions of this summit will be translated into collaborative action. This will involve coordination with parliamentary caucuses and the leadership of county governments.
Prosperity is our collective aspiration, progress is our shared responsibility and success our collective goal. We must cultivate reliable partnerships with county governments, the private sector, and development partners to unlock opportunities and empower communities. Together, we will transform dreams into reality, ensuring pastoralists thrive as equal contributors to national prosperity. The 4th Pastoralist Leadership Summit is now officially closed. Thank you. God bless you, God bless Kenya.