Kenya has officially signed the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Protocol on Transhumance, enabling free movement for pastoralists living in border areas. The signing ceremony took place on Friday, with Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi representing the Kenyan government.
This development followed a successful meeting between Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and the IGAD Secretariat Delegation, led by Dr. Fatma Adan, IGAD Head of Mission in Kenya.
“The Protocol is critical as it provides a framework for free, safe, and orderly cross-border mobility of transhumance livestock and herders in search of water and pasture in the IGAD Member States,” stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Following the signing, the protocol will be submitted to the Cabinet and subsequently to the National Assembly for ratification approval by Kenya.
Kenya becomes the sixth IGAD Member State to sign the Protocol, following Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, and Djibouti. The Protocol was adopted during the 72nd Extra-Ordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs held in June 2021.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry highlighted that the Protocol also focuses on conflict prevention, mitigation, and resolution, fostering peaceful coexistence, and reducing the risk of violence. Additionally, it encourages cooperation and coordination among neighboring countries to address common cross-border challenges.
The signing ceremony was attended by Principal Secretary of the State Department for Livestock Development Jonathan Mueke, Col. (Rtd.) Ali Raso Dido, and Sarah Korere from the Parliamentary Pastoralist Group. Ambassador Joseph Vungo, the Registrar of Treaties at the State Department for Foreign Affairs, was also present.
IGAD, an eight-country trade bloc in Africa, aims to accelerate economic and social development and integration of its member states through efforts anchored on peace, prosperity, and regional integration.