Policy Brief No. 15 of 2023-2024 on Leveraging Role of Non-Governmental Organizations to Spur Development in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands of Kenya

Abstract

The ASALs are characterized by long droughts, famine, lack of water and pasture, low levels of education, poor transport and communication infrastructure and inadequate governance from the National government. The livelihoods in the ASALs are mainly pastoralism -based, which entails the movement of humans and animals in search of pasture for their livestock and water. Recognizing the social-political and economic marginalization in the ASAL counties in Kenya, the government launched the Sessional Paper No. 8 of 2012” on the “National Policy for the Sustainable Development of Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands’’, which provides harmonization and institutionalization of appropriate policy responses to the marginalization and under-development of ASALs. This admission by the government that the region needs specific policy responses to address the challenges of ASALs recognized the significant role of NGOs as alternative public service providers, complementing the government’s role in promoting the development of ASALs. While the country has a substantial number of registered non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the persistent problems in ASALs need a rethinking of their missions, objectives, contributions, and impact, and while Kenya has over 12,000 registered NGOs, their role may be expanded to address these present challenges. This policy brief synthesises findings from comprehensive research done in Garissa County and provides a set of practical suggestions targeted at reinvigorating and maximizing the contributions of NGOs in promoting the development of ASALs in Kenya.