Jumping on the train: the pastoralist experience in Kenya's PRSP

This paper describes the experiences of pastoralists in Kenya of getting their needs incorporated into Kenyas 'Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSPs) process. Pastoralists make up a fourth of Kenya's population yet have little political influence. However, they have strong traditional networks, and with input from international agencies and civil society groups have mobilised these to form the Pastoral Thematic Group (PTG). The paper outlines how this group has gone about involving pastoralists in the process, enhancing their own knowledge and producing a policy document. Through advocacy and negotiation, many pastoralist priorities were ultimately reflected in the PRSP, which was approved and commended. The paper goes on to look at the challenges they faced and the lessons they have learned as they engaged in this formal process of participation.