National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has called on the Pastoralist Leadership Summit (PLS) to focus on transformative issues critical to unlocking the region’s economic potential.
Speaking during the official opening of the Summit in Wajir, Wetangula underscored livestock production, insecurity, trade, land, and infrastructure as the major issues that must be prioritised in the region’s development agenda.
Addressing leaders and stakeholders from 15 pastoralist counties, Wetangula urged the region to move past historical challenges and adopt a forward-thinking approach.
“As we meet here in this Conference, I want to encourage you to focus on these key issues. As my MPs from this ASAL and pastoralists. I would want to encourage members of this region to see yourself as part of a big family called Kenya,” he said.
Wetangula emphasised the significant role of livestock production, noting that pastoralist counties contribute over 80 per cent of Kenya’s livestock.
He called for strategic measures to maximise this potential, including improving breed quality, disease control, marketing, and value addition.
“There’s no point in exporting raw materials like hides and skins only to import finished products like shoes and leather bags. We must add value to our livestock products and access international markets,” Wetangula said.
He at the same time challenged leaders to develop a blueprint to enhance connectivity in the region.
Wetangula assured the Summit that the National Assembly, in collaboration with the Senate and relevant agencies, would support the region in realising its infrastructure goals.
“We need many more tarmacked roads to open up this region and unlock the economic potential of our activities,” he stated.
Wetangula also stressed the importance of addressing insecurity, which has hindered progress in the region.
The Speaker encouraged leaders to use their resources to build police stations and security infrastructure while collaborating with the national government to ensure safety.
He assured leaders that the National Assembly and Senate would work to translate policy decisions into legislation to help manage land disputes effectively.
Eldas Member of Parliament, Aden Keynan, also Chair of the Northern Kenya Parliamentary Group, reiterated the importance of the Summit as a platform for collaboration and actionable solutions.
“This Summit brings together key stakeholders to chart a transformative path. It is not just a discussion forum but a space to critique, brainstorm, and develop strategies for the challenges pastoralist counties face,” Keynan said.
By Hamdi Buthul
