Members of Parliament from arid and semi-arid constituencies have expressed support for the draft ASAL Sessional Paper. The MPs met at a retreat in Mombasa on December 4 and 5, 2009, where they were briefed on the work of the Ministry of State for the Development of Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands (MNKOAL) and updated on its progress.

The retreat, sponsored by DMI, was also called to consult MPs on key policy documents and directions, principally the draft ASAL Sessional Paper and proposed institutional framework for development of Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands.

The MPs expressed support for both the draft Sessional Paper and the institutional framework and made proposals to strengthen both. Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who attended the meeting on the second day, expressed his support for the development of the region. He emphasised the need to build a country that is uniform in terms of development. He also noted that the north has the highest wind speeds in the country, which can power industries in the region and create employment. The region also has the largest number of livestock.

Memorandum to President and Prime Minister 

The Minister for the Development of Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands, Hon. Mohamed Elmi, presented the Ministry's purpose and progress while the Permanent Secretary, Ms. Mary Ngari, presented the draft Sessional Paper for the development of Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands.

The proposed institutional framework for the development of the region, including the National Drought Management Authority and National Drought Contingency Fund was presented by Arid Lands Resource Management Project National Coordinator, Ms. Fatuma Abdikadir. The process for the establishment of the NDCF is ongoing, with a formal request to Treasury submitted by the MNKOAL.

MPs also used the forum to review the draft constitution in terms of its impact on pastoralism and drew up a Memorandum to His Excellency the President and the Prime Minister, calling for a transformation in the way resources are allocated for the ASAL region.

The retreat also facilitated sharing of information on the creation of NDCF/NDMA and this is expected to elicit parliament s support for the legalisation process.

About 50 MPs attended the retreat, as well as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of State for Special Programmes, Mr Ali Mohamed, the DMI Technical Advisor, Mr Luigi Luminari and the Director of the Kenya Vision 2030 Economic Pillar, Dr Mohamed Omar.