That nomadic pastoralism must be discarded and in its place be planted a new mode of life is an undertaking that should not just be condemned, but its proponents ought to be schooled about the benefits of appreciating the uniqueness of others. There is a big reason why I refuse to be part of this anti-pastoralism group. Pastoralism is as fruitful as any other noble socio-economic venture. The main challenge facing pastoralists is this: little has been done to squeeze juice out of this age-old practice.
Interventions have tended to focus on blaming nomads and their surroundings instead of injecting life to the many opportunities that accompany livestock keeping. From the look of things, this trajectory could be as a result of self-inflicted knowledge-gaps plus a dose of dangerous paternalism shaping development partnering in pastoral lands. The average livestock herder out there has been pushed to the peripheries; reduced to a figure that receives orders from supposedly knowledgeable people. His/her voice counts no more.
In Pastoralism pays: new evidence from the Horn of Africa , a study conducted by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), the under-exploitation of extensive pastoral production systems derives its roots from outside forces - from authorities and development partners. The study outlines that "[...] the true value of pastoral systems is largely overlooked. Camel milk, goat meat, draught power and other goods and services provide subsistence products and household income; they also create employment, income opportunities and access to credit along their ‘value chains’. Pastoral products contribute significant revenues to public authorities and support the provision of basic services in rural towns; with support, this productivity could grow."
Of great significance to us is the fact the demand for high quality meat and milk outcompetes supply in many urban setups in Kenya. This is not to give credence to the theory that pastoralists are incapable of bridging this supply gap. It is simply a testament of how poor policies have impacted on pastoral production systems. Our people have become victims of officialdoms that see answers to everything pastoral through the lenses of modernization. Our people are advised to "modernize" their practices by people who can hardly explain the import and the rational of this modernization euphoria.
The same study suggests that institutionalized data collection systems in Kenya still do not capture the full value of pastoralism hence leading to a headless planning regime and misdirection in budgeting processes. It is possibly due to this 'data drought' that a number of organizations operating in pastoral lands find refuge in 'trial and error' budgeting method. And when things go haywire, the hapless cattle breeder in the plains of Turkana, Samburu and Isiolo is left to carry the cross alone.
We must change this once and for all. I see no reason why Kenya's meat and milk demand should not be met by Kenya's pastoralists. And to arrive at this point we must ask some bitter questions. Who benefits when people shift from pastoral systems to other modes of subsistence? Who controls the marketing channels and livestock price fluctuations? Why haven't pastoralists conquered the chains of poverty yet they possess immense livestock wealth? Could some entities be pocketing huge gains from this state of confusion?
Three findings come in handy. Livestock production thrives not in raw dependence on quantities. The trick is in building up competitive qualities. Pastoralists badly need huge doses of vital, contextualized information. They want this information near them.
Two, an all-inclusive review of the value of pastoral production systems is needed to put paid the urgency of adopting intelligent investment. It adds no value for an overstretched herder to ship his goats to a far-flung market only to realize that no one needs his goats.
Three, pastoralism as a socio-economic orientation is a human rights issue. It boils down to the very foundation of all human beings - the need to be respected and not to be coerced, in any way, to adopt what one does not voluntarily subscribe to.
I stand with pastoralism. I support those who practice it.
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