The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the European Union and the Kenyan Government are preparing a Bill that will be enacted into law to improve the lives of pastoralists. Speaking during a three-day workshop at Samara hotel in Machakos, a consumer expert at IGAD Japheth Kasimbu said they have discussed the development and initialization of an IGAD pastoral law that takes care of pastoralism and range lands management in the country. Kasimbu said that the Kenyan Government has shown positive support in discussing the laws and protocol that will help the pastoralists. ‘We are here as the technical team from different ministries to discuss the roadmap of how to develop the law that will take care of pastoralism,’ he said. The consumer expert added that where pastoralism is practiced, livestock keeping for either beef or dairy is key and supports over 70 per cent of the population in the Arid and Semi-Arid region (ASAL). Kasimbu noted that enhancing the economic welfare in the ASALs is by facilitating the communities legally and through development programs, which will eradicate poverty and illiteracy. ‘We want to put a legal framework in place, which will also ensure that these resources are targeted by the central government and also help the cross border mobility,’ added Kasimbu. He pointed out that if there was free movement of persons across borders, then there should be free movement of pastoralists and their livestock. Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi, who was present during the workshop, hailed the move aimed at improving the lives of pastoralists saying it was of great significance not just for the residents in the Asal region, but for the entire country. Mwangangi noted that the laws to be drafted, will guide the movement through marking of transhumance routes, thus preventing conflicts in the member countries. He said that extensive animal production makes a major contribution to national economies in the IGAD region with many people depending on livestock for livelihoods and employment. ‘The move will allow free flow of economy that will connect the region with other areas in the country in terms of business transactions and development,’ noted Mwangangi. The deputy governor further proposed that the Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) be extended to the region for the pastoralists to have easier access to the livestock factory. He also assured both IGAD and the other stakeholders that Machakos County was fully committed to ensuring success of the pastoral laws. Other stakeholders involved in the initiative included the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development and the IGAD Centre for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development (ICPALD), among others.
Source: Kenya News Agency