The Kenyan Cabinet approved the IGAD Protocol on Transhumance on 21st January 2025, aimed at facilitating the safe and orderly cross-border movement of livestock and herders.
The IGAD Transhumance Protocol, adopted in 2020, promotes the safe, regulated, and sustainable movement of pastoralist communities and their livestock across borders within IGAD member states.
The IGAD member states are Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Following the Kenyan Cabinet's approval of the IGAD Protocol on Transhumance, the protocol will be presented to the National Assembly for ratification.
This process involves parliamentary debate and approval, which, if successful, will lead to Kenya's formal adoption of the protocol.
Once ratified, the protocol will facilitate the free, safe, and orderly cross-border movement of pastoralists and their livestock within IGAD member states, promoting sustainable resource management and conflict prevention.
The protocol is crucial, given pastoralism's significance to the region's economy and the challenges posed by climate change, conflicts, and border restrictions.
The protocol seeks to mitigate conflicts over grazing lands and water by fostering peaceful coexistence among communities, turning potential flashpoints into opportunities for collaboration.
It emphasizes protecting pastoralists' rights, access to veterinary services, and the sustainable use of shared resources while addressing the growing challenges of climate change and resource scarcity.
The IGAD Protocol on Transhumance is more than a policy.
It stands as a beacon of hope for millions, championing regional integration, social justice, and the enduring resilience of East Africa's pastoralist communities.
The protocol promises to provide a structured framework for managing seasonal livestock migrations, minimizing resource-based conflicts, and bolstering food security in the face of climate change.
It aims to provide safe passage for herders and their animals, health services, infrastructure, and a coexistence environment.
Kenya embraced the protocol as a beacon of hope for its pastoralist communities, underscoring its leadership in advocating for regional peace and prosperity.
This historic decision underscores Kenya's leadership in advocating for regional peace and prosperity, standing shoulder to shoulder with its IGAD counterparts.
This comes weeks after the launch of the Kenya Peace Building Architecture review report, which aims to strengthen Kenya's frameworks for sustaining peace, addressing conflict, and nurturing cohesive communities.
The significance of the moment was clear.
This wasn't merely a policy approval but a pledge to empower communities, safeguard livelihoods, and foster unity across borders.
With this endorsement, Kenya reaffirmed its position as a champion of regional integration, laying the groundwork for a future where the movement of pastoralists and their livestock becomes a symbol of resilience, cooperation, and shared prosperity in the Horn of Africa.
MIDRIFT HURINET champions the IGAD Protocol on Transhumance, working tirelessly to harmonize cross-border policies that protect herders' rights while ensuring sustainable resource use.
MIDRIFT HURINET's interventions weave a peace, coexistence, and sustainability narrative.
Recognizing the delicate interplay between livelihoods, resources, and regional stability, the organization's efforts resonate deeply within the fabric of cross-border pastoralism.
Community-led conflict resolution is at the core of its work, where dialogue becomes a tool for peace.
MIDRIFT HURINET has created spaces where pastoralists, local leaders, and host communities unite to address tensions over grazing land and water in regions marred by resource-based disputes.
Through facilitated discussions, these forums transform potential flashpoints into opportunities for mutual understanding, fostering relationships that transcend borders.
MIDRIFT HURINET's ability to listen and empower marginalized voices, especially women and youth, ensures peace is a fleeting resolution and a foundation for a brighter future.
MIDRIFT HURINET's commitment to policy advocacy and promoting sustainable practices is equally powerful, instilling confidence and reassurance in its approach.
The initiatives extend beyond paper policies.
They include organized workshops to educate pastoralists on their rights and responsibilities, build their capacity to navigate legal frameworks
and adopt practices that protect their livelihoods and the environment.
The environmental programs promote sustainable grazing practices, water conservation, and the rehabilitation of degraded lands, laying the groundwork for resilience to climate change.
What truly sets MIDRIFT HURINET apart is its holistic approach.
The organization monitors migration patterns, resource scarcity, and conflict risks through early warning systems, enabling communities to prepare and prevent violence before it begins.
Public awareness campaigns amplify the message of coexistence, while targeted programs for women and youth empower these often overlooked groups to play key roles in shaping peaceful, prosperous communities.
By responding with sensitivity and foresight to the challenges of cross-border livestock movement, the organization protects pastoralism's heritage.
It nurtures a vision of shared prosperity, where communities move forward together—united by peace and sustained by hope.
MIDRIFT HURINET actively participates in IGAD programs that address the root causes of inter-ethnic and cross-border disputes, ensuring that peace agreements and dialogues reflect the lived realities of affected communities.
Through grassroots-driven approaches, they amplify the voices of marginalized groups, particularly women and youth, aligning perfectly with IGAD's goals for inclusive peace processes.
MIDRIFT HURINET's reach also extends to climate resilience and disaster management programs.
In collaboration with IGAD, they spearhead community-driven solutions to combat climate change's harsh impacts, which have become increasingly severe across the region.
By championing sustainable practices such as water conservation and land rehabilitation, MIDRIFT HURINET empowers communities to adapt to climate change while preserving livelihoods tied to the land.
MIDRIFT HURINET collaborates with IGAD to equip local leaders, peace committees, and community members with the skills to manage conflicts, advocate for rights, and implement development projects.
More than just providing information, MIDRIFT HURINET's training sessions are transformative, inspiring individuals to become agents of change within their communities.
By:Jcob Karani