A landmark National Private Sector Dialogue on Responsible Investment in Kenya’s Drylands, held yesterday at Serena Hotel, Nairobi, brought together a diverse coalition of government officials, private sector leaders, community representatives, and development partners to chart a transformative path for Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).
Organised by the Drylands Learning and Capacity Building Initiative (DLCI), Jameel Observatory, Landesa, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the event underscored the untapped economic potential of Kenya’s drylands and the urgent need for responsible investment to foster resilience and prosperity.
The dialogue opened with remarks from a representative of the Principal Secretary, State Department of Investment, followed by an inspiring address by Dr. Guyo Malicha Roba, Head of the Drylands Development Unit at IGAD Centre for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development (ICPALD) and Chair of DLCI’s Board.
Dr. Roba set a resolute tone, declaring, “Drylands must no longer be left behind.”
His call to action emphasised the need to prioritise these regions, which cover over 80% of Kenya’s landmass and are home to millions of pastoralists, in national development strategies.
The morning session, themed "Creating an Enabling Environment for Investment," featured robust discussions on the policy and structural reforms necessary to attract private sector investment.
Experts from the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) and DLCI highlighted policy gaps, while the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) outlined the need for financial incentives.
Representatives from the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development emphasised the importance of secure land tenure, a crucial factor in fostering investor confidence in drylands.
The Pastoralist Parliamentary Group further amplified pastoralist priorities, advocating for inclusive frameworks that ensure communities benefit from investments.
“Clear policies, secure land, and inclusive frameworks are essential for the private sector to confidently invest in drylands,” the session concluded.
Shifting from policy to practice, the Community-Specific Investment Opportunities session, led by Dr. Jarso Mokku, showcased the voices of dryland communities.
Representatives from ASAL regions presented viable investment opportunities, ranging from livestock markets to renewable energy projects, while candidly addressing challenges such as innovation gaps, unfair value sharing, and readiness for investment.
Their presentations underscored the immense potential of drylands, particularly in livestock development and trade, while highlighting the need for equitable partnerships.
In the afternoon, Racheal Kisiangani from Landesa presented a Framework for Responsible Investment in Drylands, emphasising that “investor confidence and community rights must go hand in hand.”
This framework set the stage for a vibrant Roundtable Dialogue, where investors, policymakers, and community leaders engaged in candid discussions on partnerships, co-financing, and the infrastructure needed to unlock dryland markets.
The dialogue fostered a shared commitment to actionable solutions, with participants agreeing to extend the conversation through county-level dialogues and continuous platforms for investor-community engagement.
The event closed with a unified resolve to advance responsible investment as a pathway to resilience, dignity, and prosperity in Kenya’s drylands.
Participants committed to strengthening policy frameworks and fostering collaboration to ensure that investments benefit both communities and investors.
“The story of the day was clear: when communities, policymakers, and the private sector come together, responsible investment in drylands is not just an idea; it becomes a pathway to resilience, dignity, and prosperity,” DLCI stated.
This dialogue aligns with broader efforts to transform Kenya’s ASAL regions, which face recurring challenges such as drought and underinvestment, as highlighted in recent initiatives by the Kenya Red Cross and the Council of Governors.
By prioritising responsible investment, stakeholders aim to harness the economic potential of drylands, particularly in livestock and trade, to uplift millions of lives and drive sustainable development.