Governments and scientists have long regarded the pastoralists’ way of life as a cause of environmental degradation. This belief is rooted in a misunderstanding of the pastoralist way of life and is reflected in national policies on land tenure and resource access in Kenya. The area of land controlled by pastoralists has been steadily reduced, and pastoralists have been encouraged to give up their nomadic way of life and settle, leading to conflict between pastoralist groups and other land users and damage to the environment.

Research by the Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG) explains how the pastoralist way of life, which includes strategies such as herd sharing, is changing as a result of misplaced government pressure. The research discusses how outside organisations can help to develop new livelihood options that benefit the pastoralists and the environment. Recent initiatives by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to make better use of resources and reduce conflicts are examined.

The nomadic pastoralist economy of northern Kenya is based upon camels, cattle, sheep and goats. Competition and co-operation with other tribes are a normal part of pastoralist livelihoods. Conflict and raiding the livestock of other tribes increases when these livelihood strategies fail. As populations rise, competition for the resources threatens the traditional measures of containing conflict. Violence now extends from the rural areas into towns.

The resources on which pastoralists depend are also becoming increasingly scarce. Although the Kenyan Constitution ensures access to the rangeland for traditional users, privatisation has still taken place on some of the better grazing land where the government has encouraged Western-style ranching. On higher ground, wet season grazing has been replaced by maize and vegetable growing. Creating National Parks has further reduced access to traditional grazing areas, increasing competition amongst pastoralist groups.

The research shows how the fragile balance between people, livestock and the environment is being damaged:

• The drilling of boreholes has altered grazing patterns as pastoralists settle for longer near to schools, health posts and food aid distribution which develop around these water points.
• The long-term settling of people has led to overcutting of trees for fuel.
• The increased use of modern firearms by raiders has made pastoralists worried about spreading their flocks across the rangeland. Keeping livestock near settlements where there is better protection has led to overgrazing in these areas.
• Large areas of productive pasture land are no longer used due to insecurity and water shortages.

Kenyan officials are now recognising that military activity alone cannot resolve disputes and prevent rustling and banditry. The government is now supporting district level institutions by training staff in conflict resolution and giving them authority to work with their communities. ITDG and other NGOs have been training village elders to resolve conflicts and to spread awareness of improved natural resource management techniques, such as the construction of dams. This will enable conflict resolution and resource management to continue independently without support from international NGOs.

Ensuring these efforts are successful requires:

• recognising traditional access rights in land laws
• providing access for pastoralists to National Parks at certain times
• establishing permanent conflict-resolution processes, based on traditional practices, with sensitive support from outside experts. These will regularly bring together tribes on both sides of the Kenyan-Somali border
• new technologies to reduce pressure on woodland resources, such as the introduction of fuel-saving stoves
• increasing the number of water points across the rangeland
• developing alternative income-generating activities to enable some people to live outside the pastoral production system.

Long-term conflict resolution for pastoralists will only be achieved through securing improved access to land and water. Marginalisation can only be tackled through developing strong pastoralists’ networks and organisations working towards increased recognition of pastoralists’ needs.

Source(s):
‘Conflict over natural resources among pastoralists in northern Kenya: a look at recent initiatives in conflict resolution’ by Rachel Berger, Journal of International Development,15:2, pp 245-247, 2003 Full document.

Funded by: ITDG

id21 Research Highlight: 24 September 2004

Further Information:
Rachel Berger
Intermediate Technology Development Group
Schumacher Centre for Technology and Development
Bourton Hall
Bourton on Dunsmore
Rugby CV23 9QZ
UK

Tel: +44 (0) 1926 634400
Fax: +44 (0) 1926 634401
Contact the contributor: rachel.berger@itdg.org.uk

Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG), UK

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'How rich is our land? Re-valuing the communal areas of Southern Africa'

'Uneasy bedfellows? Modern law and traditional landholding principles in Niger'

'Ownership, control and access: land tenure and land degradation in Northern Togo'