Nairobi: The government is working on a mechanism aimed at enhancing collective collaboration and building strong synergy among development partners, undertaking various critical programmes and projects in ASAL counties. Cabinet Secretary for East African Community (EAC), ASALs, and Regional Development, Beatrice Moe, underscored the importance of engaging experts and partners from various organisations working in the country to align their efforts with the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
According to Kenya News Agency, Moe, alongside Principal Secretary for ASALs and Regional Development, Kello Harsama, held a consultative meeting with development partners at a Nairobi hotel. The meeting aimed to discuss ways to harmonise activities, eliminate duplications of projects, enhance planning, and align with government priorities. The goal is to redistribute developments in ASAL areas to ensure vulnerable communities benefit.
“The purpose of today’s consultation is to focus on activities that add value to the people, ensuring we don’t duplicate efforts but instead harmonise our activities,” Moe explained. She highlighted the need to address issues such as women and children, climate change, agriculture, food security, livestock development, and cross-border matters to enhance the value and appreciation of partner activities.
Moe stated that her Ministry is committed to closely working with development partners to ensure effective coordination and eliminate duplication of efforts. She commended donors and partners for their significant contributions to ASALs’ development, noting improvements in education, health, water access, infrastructure, and livelihoods.
While acknowledging their efforts, Moe called for continued support for collaboration initiatives, humanitarian efforts, resilience-building, and development projects in ASALs and Regional Development Authorities to enhance sustainable socio-economic development. She also acknowledged the crucial role of the National Drought Management Authority and Regional Development Authorities in promoting sustainable development in ASAL regions.
Moe stated that her Ministry has achieved its vision of “sustainable ASALs and integrated basin-based development for improved livelihoods” by focusing on key priority areas. These include coordination of ASALs and basin-based development, climate change mitigation, resilience building, socio-economic and infrastructure development, peacebuilding, and scaling up relief and humanitarian responses.
The consultative meeting follows a previous meeting held in November 2023, which resolved to improve coordination with intergovernmental agencies and address the disconnect between National and County Governments on drought management. The meeting stressed the importance of prioritising water conservation in ASAL regions.
On his part, Harsama emphasised the engagement meeting’s importance for sharing ideas and managing resources in the ASAL region. He noted that many organisations previously worked based on their respective countries’ policies, which did not align with local realities. The formation of the ASAL Development Partners Group aims to coordinate activities and support humanitarian interventions.
Harsama revealed that the Group has played a crucial role in saving lives in drought-affected counties through mobilisation activities, fundraising, providing food, and offering medical support. He explained that regular engagement with development partners is essential to update them on new activities and review the progress of ongoing initiatives.
Regarding the drought situation, Harsama indicated the country is moving towards a drought-alert situation, with the Meteorological Department predicting below-average rains in ASAL areas. He highlighted the government’s measures, through the National Disaster Response Committee, to ensure food security for pastoralists by providing water and medical supplies.
“It is important to note that the weather is not expected to favour pastoralist areas, particularly the 23 ASAL counties, in the coming months. However, the government has put in place mitigation measures in case the situation worsens,” Harsama added.