Government Hosts two- Day conference on building resilience and prosperity in drylands.
The State Department for ASALs and Regional Development officially opened a two-day conference on building the resilience and prosperity of pastoralists and dryland communities. The meeting, hosted at the Mövenpick Hotel in Nairobi, was inaugurated by the Acting Secretary for ASALs, Lore Ambrose, who represented the Principal Secretary, Hon. Harsama Kello.
In the opening address, Ambrose underscored the importance of reframing narratives and policies around pastoralism, recognizing it not as a marginal livelihood but as a central pathway to food security, economic growth, and sustainable development in Kenya and across the region. The dialogue is designed to critically examine new evidence, lessons, and insights to inform responsive policies, while also fostering stronger collaboration among governments, researchers, and development partners.
The conference, convened by ICPALD, the Jameel Observatory, and the SPARC programme, brings together pastoralist leaders, policymakers, researchers, and civil society representatives from across the Horn of Africa and beyond. The main objectives included, strengthening institutional and community capacities in dry land regions and linking national policy debates to global milestones such as the 2026 International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists and the upcoming UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia.
Among the dignitaries present were H.E. Mohamed Abdi Ware, Deputy Executive Secretary of IGAD, senior officials from ILRI, and representatives from regional and international organizations working on climate resilience, pastoralist livelihoods, and dry land development. Over the two days, participants discussed a wide range of themes including anticipatory action, the evolving roles of women and youth, pastoralist mobility, tenure security, and innovations to reduce risks in fragile and conflict-affected areas.
By the end of the dialogue, organizers hoped to not only shape Kenya’s policy direction but also contribute to a stronger regional and global agenda for sustainable dry land development, ensuring that pastoralist voices remain central in decisions that affect their future.
By Joan Ngugi.