The Pastoralist Shade Initiative

The Pastoralist Shade Initiative (PSI) is a Kenyan non-governmental organisation. It was registered in 2008. It is also constituted according to traditional law. Thirteen elders make up the Board that comprises nine pastoralist tribes:

Gabra, Borana, Rendille, Maasai, Turkana, Somali, Orma, Samburu and Pokot.

 

They are working together to secure peace and deal with politically instigated violence and crime in Kenya through promoting the use of customary law and inter-communal dialogue in co-operation with state institutions.

 

Their aim is to create conditions that stimulate the economy, encourage investment and give a decent future to their children. 

 

 

 Molu Kullu, a senior Gabbra elder is their chair,

“People have talked about peace and they have agreed that the elders will be the custodian of the peace process”

PSI's work is largely supported by the pastoralist communities themselves. It is their elders who donate time, skill, deep knowledge and willingness to travel long distances. Communities donate food, accommodation and organise visits, meetings and events.

Strategic external support will be applied judiciously and with good effect. It will enable some of Kenya’s poorest people to make their own contributions go further.

Achievements

2008: The Pastoralist Shade elders organised a meeting of 50 key pastoralist leaders and senior representatives of the Government of Kenya (the Ministry for the Development of Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands and the Ministry of Lands were prominent). Hosted by the Maasai in Kajiado District, the meeting both clarified and critiqued existing government policies and forged a network of links between pastoralist leaders and government at the highest level.

2009: The Shade elders orchestrated a series of successful meetings between Borana and Gabra at Dukana, Maikona and Walda in Upper Eastern Province that resulted in what pastoralists have described as a ‘miracle’ of sustained peace in northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia. The final agreement, ‘the Walda Declaration’ has set new standards in maintenance of security. It draws on customary law, provides for resource sharing and mediation mechanisms and clarifies institutional responsibilities.

The Shade Initiative is in continuous discussion with the Ministry for Internal Security, Ministry for Development of Northern Kenya, CEWARN, and senior leaders involved in resolution of Kenya’s post-election violence.

Plans for 2010-2011

In addition to contributions to the national reconciliation dialogue, PSI proposes to give priority to peace-making where political and social tensions are acute. Funded as part of our Rights, Peace and Livelihoods project PSI will work with the pastoralist tribes:

• Rendille, Samburu, Borana, Gabra, Somali, Turkana and Meru in Upper Eastern Province
• Turkana-Pokot in Rift Valley Province
• Samburu-Turkana in Upper Eastern Province
• Garreh-Murulle in North Eastern Province.

PSI's method starts with scanning to build a thorough understanding of the complexities of each situation. Three to five Shade Initiative elders meet local elders and customary leaders, government officials, ministers, members of Parliament, women and youth leaders and develop a comprehensive profile of the situation. They ask who profits from insecurity, violence and crime, who loses and how? Who is playing an indirect part and how? What are the issues that are the focus of community struggles?  Which laws are being used for what? Where are the strengths within the community for stability and prosperity?

The elders begin to backstop negotiations. They keep moving, discussing and holding large and small meetings; bringing determination and skill to a sometimes long, convoluted process often obscured by confusion, resignation and anger. They engage support from different individuals and groups, forge alliances and stimulate peer pressure; encouraging contrary interests to become involved in and benefit from the negotiations. A local group is formed to manage negotiations, generate local resources and commit to agreed actions.

Finally the elders focus on establishing, reviving or refashioning a net of effective institutional commitments based on law and common interest. The Shade elders provide consistent skilled advice on law and strategy, before, during and after the declarations of peace. Declarations are woven into institutional systems, both customary and state, and robustness is developed through emphasis on effective customary offices and wide communication. As peace and stability are achieved, leaders of the area become active members of the Shade Initiative, sustaining local commitments while also taking the process to new areas.