Wetang’ula calls for value addition to livestock products in ASAL regions

HAMDI BUTHUL-KNA 

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged the Pastoralist Leadership Summit (PLS) to focus on transformative issues critical to unlocking the region’s economic potential.

Speaking during the official opening of the Summit in Wajir, Wetang’ula emphasized the need to prioritize livestock production, insecurity, trade, land management, and infrastructure in the region’s development agenda.

Addressing leaders and stakeholders from 15 pastoralist counties, Wetang’ula encouraged the region to move beyond historical challenges and adopt a forward-thinking approach.

“As we gather at this conference, I want to encourage you to focus on these key issues. To my MPs from this ASAL region and the pastoralist community, I urge you to see yourselves as part of a larger family called Kenya,” he said.

Wetang’ula highlighted the significant role of livestock production, noting that pastoralist counties contribute over 80 per cent of Kenya’s livestock. He called for strategic measures to maximize this potential, including improving breed quality, enhancing disease control, advancing marketing efforts, and promoting value addition.

“There is no reason to export raw materials like hides and skins only to import finished products such as shoes and leather bags.

We must add value to our livestock products and access international markets,” Wetang’ula said. He also challenged leaders to develop a comprehensive blueprint to improve connectivity in the region.

Wetang’ula assured the Summit that the National Assembly, in collaboration with the Senate and relevant agencies, would support the region in achieving its infrastructure goals.

“We need many more tarmacked roads to open up this region and unlock the economic potential of our activities,” he stated.

Wetang’ula further underscored the importance of addressing insecurity, which has hindered progress in the region. He encouraged leaders to allocate resources toward building police stations and strengthening security infrastructure while collaborating with the national government to ensure safety.

He assured stakeholders that the National Assembly and Senate would work to translate policy decisions into legislation to effectively manage land disputes.

Eldas Member of Parliament Aden Keynan, who also serves as the Chair of the Northern Kenya Parliamentary Group, reiterated the significance of the Summit as a platform for collaboration and actionable solutions.

“This Summit brings together key stakeholders to chart a transformative path. It is not just a discussion forum but also a space to critique, brainstorm, and develop strategies to address the challenges facing pastoralist counties,” Keynan said.