We must do more to promote growth in pastoralist regions

Political leaders comprising governors, parliamentarians and county assembly speakers from the 14 pastoralist-dominated counties held the second annual leadership summit last week, led by myself as the current president of the summit. The objectives of Pastoralist Leadership Summit that brings together 130 leaders are to promote and develop institutional, legal and policy interventions at both national and county levels that enhance realisation of peace and security, and socio-economic development in these counties. Its role transcends lobby or advocacy.

For a long time, these leaders have been on the periphery of national discourses by and large, whether in the political, development or socio-economic spheres. Most Kenyans characterise these counties as the harsh arid and drought-stricken terrain, and perennial ethnic conflict hotbeds.