Eldas MP Adan Keynan speaks during North Eastern Parliamentary Group meeting/HANDOUTThe Northeastern Parliamentary Group and professionals from Garissa, Wajir and Mandera have asked the new Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe to prioritise operationalisation of the Livestock Marketing Board.
The lawmakers and professionals noted that livestock remains the region's economic mainstay, but poor government policy, climate change, and related issues occasion drawbacks for the sub-sector.
However, they noted that President William Ruto’s recent intervention to establish the Livestock Marketing Board is a game-changer for the pastoralist communities in the region and beyond.
“We thank the President for his pledge and prompt action of establishing the board. We urge the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock to urgently operationalise the board and allocate adequate resources to ensure its optimal performance in livestock trade, value addition, and market expansion,” they said in a statement.
The group led by Eldas MP Adan Keynan issued the statement after holding a consultative meeting at a Nairobi hotel to validate a draft report on development priorities for the three counties, which make up 18 constituencies.
The meeting followed a comprehensive three-day retreat held from October 10–13, 2024, at the Serena Hotel, Mombasa, where key challenges and proposed interventions for the region were deliberated.
Discussions at the meeting in Nairobi reaffirmed the urgent need to address systemic inequalities in resource allocation that have hindered the development of North Eastern Kenya.
Delegates highlighted critical sectors requiring immediate action, particularly the lack of roads, energy infrastructure, health facilities, water services, agriculture and livestock services.
Keynan said the report, having been validated by regional political leaders and professionals drawn from various sectors, will be finalised and submitted to relevant government agencies, development partners, and other actors to guide the development agenda for North Eastern Kenya.
“The leadership commits to a continuous and sustained monitoring of resource allocation and project implementation to ensure timely delivery of the outlined priorities,” he said.
The caucus resolved to advocate for prioritisation of key transformative projects as prioritised in the report.
Some of these projects include the Garissa-Wajir-Mandera Highway, mega water projects, health facilities, and expanded energy services, which are vital for unlocking the region's economic potential.
