Description

Abstract: It is argued, at least until recently, that the policy environment in Kenya has never been truly supportive of pastoral development. Successive governments have either totally neglected the arid lands or imposed inappropriate development interventions. Two major factors have contributed to this situation, namely: (1) Decision-makers lack knowledge about pastoral systems (referred to here as “the knowledge gap”); and (2) inhabitants of the rangelands lack political influence (referred to here as “the power imbalance”). Despite this history, the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) assumed power in 2003 and the NARC appears to be endorsing pastoral development as an important item in the development agenda. Pastoral people and their advocates thus need to seize the moment and actively engage the political process to promote arid land development. It is noted that a way forward may consist of the need for government to embrace three main needs: (1) Formal recognition of pastoralism as a viable livelihood and land-use system; (2) formal recognition of the common property tenure that prevails in pastoral areas; and (3) creation of an environment whereby pastoral people and their organizations are empowered to effect their own development.