by Hillary Kitel – Programs and Communications officer – DLCI
For decades, Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) have been framed largely in terms of drought, humanitarian response, and vulnerability. Yet these regions cover over 80 percent of the country’s landmass, sustain millions of livelihoods, drive the livestock economy, and hold immense promise in renewable energy, tourism, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
The validation of the National Policy for the Sustainable Development of ASALs, held in Nairobi, marked a turning point. This signaled a growing consensus that the drylands agenda must shift from crisis management to opportunity, coordinated investment, and long-term development.
A Unified Commitment
The forum brought together leaders from national and county governments, Parliament, development partners, civil society, and pastoralist institutions to endorse a framework that will guide how Kenya plans, finances, and delivers development across ASAL counties.
Opening the session, Dr. Caroline Karugu, Principal Secretary for ASALs and Regional Development, reaffirmed government commitment to unlocking the economic and social potential of drylands. She emphasized that the policy offers a chance to move beyond fragmented interventions toward a unified approach that strengthens resilience while creating sustainable livelihoods.
Dr. Caroline Karugu, Principal Secretary for The East African Community (EAC) State Department and AG PS, ASALs and Regional Development State Department,
Rethinking ASALs
Representing the Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC), CEO Dr. Idle Omar Farah, speaking on behalf of Chairman Governor Mohamud Ali, urged stakeholders to redefine how the nation views ASALs. He called for recognition of their strategic importance to Kenya’s economy—through livestock, renewable energy, trade, tourism, and climate resilience—rather than seeing them only through the lens of vulnerability.
Dr. Idle Omar Farah, CEO , Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC)
Coordination as the Cornerstone
Dr. Guyo Roba, Chairman of the Drylands Learning & Capacity Building Initiative (DLCI) and Head of the Drylands Delivery Unit at IGAD, stressed that progress depends on institutions working together under a shared vision. Stronger coordination among government agencies, counties, development partners, and implementing organizations will reduce duplication, strengthen accountability, and ensure investments deliver lasting benefits.
Dr. Guyo Roba, Chairman of the Drylands Learning & Capacity Building Initiative (DLCI)
Adding the voice of Parliament, Hon. Major (Rtd) Bashir Abdullahi, Chairman of the Pastoralists Parliamentary Group (PPG), welcomed the review and underscored the importance of unity among institutions advancing pastoralist development. He noted that effective implementation will require collaboration between policymakers, agencies, and communities to ensure the policy reflects the realities and aspirations of pastoralist populations.
Hon. Major (Rtd) Bashir Abdullahi, Chairman of the Pastoralists Parliamentary Group (PPG)
From Policy to Implementation
The meeting reflected a broader shift in thinking: from emergency response to building enabling environments for investment, governance, resilient livelihoods, and sustainable growth.
As Kenya moves toward finalizing the ASAL policy, the challenge now lies in implementation. Success will depend not only on the strength of the framework itself, but on the collective commitment of government, Parliament, development partners, civil society, and communities to translate vision into tangible change.
For Kenya’s drylands, the conversation is no longer about managing vulnerability—it is about unlocking opportunity. That shift may well become the policy’s most enduring legacy.
