African Indigenous Pastoralists Convene in Nairobi Ahead of IYRP 2026

Kenya is playing host to a significant continental conversation as indigenous pastoralists from across Africa gather in Nairobi for a five-day regional meeting aimed at shaping the future of pastoralism on the global stage.
From January 25 to 29, 2026, the African Indigenous Pastoralists Gathering is bringing together about 100 delegates from North, West, Central, Southern and East Africa at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies. The meeting comes as part of early preparations for the United Nations’ International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026), and ahead of major global forums such as UNCCD COP17.

Organised by a coalition that includes IMPACT Kenya, the African Forum of Pastoralists (AFPAT), the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) and the State Department for Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) and Regional Development, the gathering is focused on forging a shared African pastoralist agenda. At its heart is a push to ensure pastoralist communities speak with one strong, coordinated voice in international climate, biodiversity and development discussions.
Pastoralism remains one of Africa’s most widespread and yet least recognised livelihoods. An estimated 258 million people depend on it across nearly 43 per cent of the continent. Beyond supporting millions of households, pastoralists are custodians of Africa’s rangelands, protecting more than 80 per cent of the continent’s livestock genetic resources while managing ecosystems that store vast amounts of carbon.

Despite this, pastoralist communities continue to face mounting pressures. Climate change, biodiversity loss, shrinking grazing lands and rising land-use conflicts are eroding traditional governance systems and threatening economic survival. Participants at the Nairobi meeting say these challenges are often discussed globally without the meaningful involvement of the people most affected.
A key focus of the gathering is therefore amplifying pastoralist voices—particularly those of women, youth and persons with disabilities who are frequently overlooked despite bearing the heaviest impacts of climate shocks. By sharing lived experiences, documenting stories of resilience and agreeing on common policy positions, delegates aim to influence global decision-making and unlock climate finance and social protection for pastoral communities.

The meeting will culminate on January 28 with a field visit to indigenous pastoralist communities in Suswa, Narok County. The visit is intended to ground discussions in real-life experiences, encourage peer learning and highlight pastoralism not just as a livelihood, but as a rich cultural identity and a proven model for biodiversity conservation.

By the end of the five days, organisers expect the gathering to leave behind more than dialogue. Their goal is a stronger, better-connected network of pastoralist organisations and government partners ready to advocate together for inclusive policies and fair representation as Africa takes its place in global conversations on climate, land and sustainability.

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