Pastoralist communities in Northern Kenya have fed themselves for generations through deep ecological knowledge, climate-adapted livestock, and mutual aid systems that outlast any drought. PGF works to document, advocate for, and push for policies that recognize these food systems as the backbone of dryland food security.
Local Economies & Mutual Solidarity
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Community-Led Market Node – Shifting trade away from predatory middle-agents toward neighborhood-managed trading hubs. This keeps capital inside the community and creates fair, direct transactions between pastoral households and local buyers.
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The Mal Solidarity Network: A traditional safety net among the Rendille where families with larger herds loan milking camels to drought-affected neighbors. It provides instant infant nutrition and long-term asset recovery without commercial loans or debt.
Climate-Smart Herds & Zero-Energy Preservation
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Multi-Species Herding: Combining drought-tolerant Rendille camels and Galla goats with cattle and sheep. By balancing animals that browse shrubs with those that graze grass, families maintain steady milk and meat production even through prolonged dry seasons.
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Energy-Free Food Preservation: Utilizing ancestral preservation techniques like Nyirinyiri – dehydrated lean meat preserved in clarified butter (ghee). It guarantees long-term nutrition without reliance on electricity or cold storage.
Customary Leadership & Formal Policy Alignment
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Council-Governed Rangelands: Supporting traditional elder councils who oversee seasonal pasture rotation, protect dry-season reserves, and manage community water points.
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Legislative Advocacy: Bridging grassroots council rules with county-level spatial planning in Northern Kenya to legally safeguard historic migratory corridors and pastoral land rights.