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Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has on Friday, June 7, 2024, signed the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) protocol on Transhumance.

The signing of the protocol follows a successful meeting with the IGAD Secretariat delegation, which was led by Fatma Adan.

“The protocol provides a critical framework for free, safe, and orderly cross-border mobility of transhumant livestock and herders in search of water and pasture within the IGAD Member States.

“It also regulates transhumance activities, including the movement of herders and their livestock across borders; sustainable management of natural resources, including land, water, and pasture to support transhumance activities; conflict prevention, mitigation, and resolution,” Mudavadi said in a statement on X.

The Prime CS explained why the signing of the protocol is critical within the IGAD community.

“This will help in promoting peaceful coexistence, reduce the risks associated with violence, and lead to the protection of the rights and interests of pastoralist communities, including their access to land, water, and grazing resources, and further cooperation and coordination among neighbouring countries in addressing common challenges across borders,” he added.

The signing of this protocol was finalized after it was adopted during the 72nd Extra-Ordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, which was held on June 24, 2021. Kenya becomes the fifth member state of IGAD to sign the protocol after Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Djibouti.

Submission to cabinet

The signed protocol will now be submitted to the cabinet and, thereafter, to the National Assembly for approval of ratification.

The signing ceremony, which was presided over by the Registrar of Treaties, Ambassador Joseph Vungo, was attended by the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Livestock Development, Johnathan Mueke, the Parliamentary Pastoralist Group representative, Ali Raso, and Sarah Korere, Member of Parliament for Laikipia North.

IGAD is an eight-country trade bloc in Africa which aims to accelerate economic and social development and integration of the members of the region through integration efforts anchored on peace, prosperity, and regional integration.

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