Pointless Nomadism Is The Hallmark Of Our Economic Stagnation

A plethora of economic models geared at uplifting the socio-economic conditions of Kenya's pastoralist communities have in recent times gained much prominence. Now, it is quite common to come across policy papers with clear benchmarks and development goals to be achieved in "sedentarising Kenyan nomadic communities".

At the village level, an encounter with "anti-nomadism evangelicals" brandishing training manuals and spewing endless streams of development philosophies that nomads must adopt in order to test the fruits of a sedentary lifestyle will give you a clear picture of this fight against nomadism. 

From the look of things, one would wonder whether nomadic lifestyle, as practiced by a section of Kenyan communities, is the main spirit that should be exorcised for economic development to take root.

Again, brains behind this campaign seem to advance a flawed reasoning that nomadic practices, in totality, should be thrown away for they are "defective, unresponsive and economically unsustainable". 

Which brings us to the crux of our matter: Couldn't there be a different, more inclusive way of economically uplifting nomadic people apart from resorting to badmouthing their age-old practice? 

I agree with those calling for a re-examination of our nomadic constructs. Nomads must drift away from keeping livestock only for dowry payment and superficial display of 'wealth'. The capacity to calibrate livestock keeping rests with the nomads themselves. Their schooled sons and daughters have a greater responsibility to actualize this.

Nomadic practice is without a doubt facing many challenges. Pressure on land and land resources has left many herder communities wandering over long distances in search of water and pastures for their livestock.

The ongoing oil and gas explorations in northern Kenya have introduced a completely new dimension on land ownership. There is a growing need among local communities that oil exploration activities have reduced them to "prisoners in their own land".

This is what they say: Oil exploration activities have hampered their free-range movement.

Though this demand might sound simplistic, it must be remembered that land, pasture and livestock are the three key elements over which economic well-being of these people is anchored. Any interference with them will automatically attract a harsh (and perhaps, ugly) backlash from the people.

How can we straighten things before they get out of hand?

The belief that any solution must originate from outside indigenous communities must be debunked if our moves to uplift nomadic communities are really genuine. Many development partners have fallen victims to this one-sided mentality that has crippled any attempt to reach the poor.

It is time we stood against this. To disregard the voice of target communities just because they lack the technical know-how to explain their wish is akin to disrespecting them. We delink projects from communities the moment we fail to listen to them. 

Calibrating nomadic practices has something to do with water availability. A common maxim among nomadic communities goes thus: "Pastoralists follow water and grass." The surest way of creating permanent settlements is by building dams.

The new-found thirst for natural resources found in lands inhabited by nomadic communities should compel us to look for a permanent solution to water scarcity stalking people over there. Piecemeal interventionism will leave pastoralists exposed to water challenges. 

Perhaps, this is another opportunity for those championing for alternative economic models to demonstrate their commitment.

To win the hearts and minds of these communities, it is incumbent upon all development actors to seek ways of reconciling their interests with community demands.

Communities must always remain the focal point of all development initiatives. By the way, they are the central reason why those claiming to uplift them troop to the villages. So, why sideline them?

Lemukol Ng’asike is an architect. Email: lemoseh89@gmail.com.  Twitter: @mlemukol.