EPAG Kenya

EPAGK is a Kenyan registered NGO, based in Mandera town, Northeastern Kenya. EPAGK's aim is to support pastoralists and agro-pastoralists on livelihood sustainability, conflict management and environmental resource management.

EPAG Kenya has been working with PAG UK and Comic Relief to implementThe Rural Pastoralist Integrated Development Project. The key objectives of this 5 year project were economic development, livelihood security and land/ resource rights & peace building.

Read more about our projects here.

Achievements

During 2008/9 EPAG Kenya has been working with clan elders and religious leaders from the Somali tribes of Murrule, Garreh, Degodia, Corner Tribes (mainly Somali Bantu) and Marehan to encourage dialogue and find solutions to tribal conflict over local resources. In a 4 day peace meeting supported by EPAG K in November 2008 elders from these clans made peace declarations and agreements over the use of their lands. Subsequently, during the recent dry period in September/ October 2009 pastoralists shared their scarce resources peacefully.

After an outbreak of fighting between the Garreh and Murrule clans in September 2009, many pastoralist families were displaced and were unable to support themselves. EPAG Kenya provided restocking, helped to rebuild businesses and provided grants and training to those particularly badly affected by the conflict. These families have now re-integrated back into their communities with alternative incomes for their families.

In addition, during this year EPAG K has supported positive dialogue and co-operation between the administrations of Belat Hawa, Somalia and Mandera, Kenya. This has ensured that the border crossing remains open, enabling trade to continue between Mandera and Belat Hawa towns and creating a strong foundation for future cross-border peace work.

EPAG Kenya's Management Structure

EPAG-K has a co-operative management structure based on customary clan governance that includes representatives from pastoralist leaders in the area. This management consists of an 'Ugas', a Council of Elders and a Council of Judges.

The Ugas

The Ugas is a well repected clan leader and orator for his community. The EPAGK Ugas is the Project Co-ordinator and also a Murrule clan Ugas. His role within EPAGK is to guide and manage the work of the team but also to build links with other organisations that work with pastoralists and forge relationships with key regional and national policy makers, political leaders and government representatives. He is the spokesperson for EPAGK and is also a member of the Council of Elders.

The Council of Elders

The elders are responsible for overseaing the day to day running of EPAG's work.  It is an internal co-operative management board comprising representatives from all EPAGK's different teams.  The Elders provide support to all staff, resolve disputes and make decisions about EPAGK's strategic direction and its policy development. They also ensure that EPAG remains flexible and continues to grow, improve practice and adapt its work to meet the needs of pastoralists.

The Pastoralist Assistance Group Co-ordinator is an advisor on the Council of Elders but has no independent voting status. 

The Council of Judges

The judges are external to EPAG, they are either pastoralists themselves or professionals that are experienced in the field of pastoralism.  The judges form a higher authority and are responsible for ensuring that EPAG is accountable to pastoralist people and that its work supports the sustainability of the pastoralism. The Judges can be called apon by the Council of Elders to resolve internal and external disputes if necessary.    

EPAGK currently employees 17 Kenyan/Somali staff.