The Pastoralist Alliance for Resilience and Adaptations Across Nations (PARAAN) was formed in 2018 as a social justice movement with the purpose of consolidating a collective voice on the inclusion and rights of indigenous peoples to promote self-action for the mutual benefit and well-being of indigenous peoples and minorities.
As stewards of their land, indigenous peoples and minority groups in Northern Kenya and across the region have sustainably governed natural resources for generations in ways that are compatible with their food systems, cultures, and social organizations.
However, in recent years, landscapes within the region that had been historically used and managed by indigenous peoples and minorities have come under unprecedented external pressures, like mega-infrastructure projects and large-scale investments that are seriously affecting the unique rights of indigenous peoples and, by extension, their food and livelihood sovereignty. These new pressures on land and resources, coupled with lasting marginalization rooted in colonial rule, have rendered pastoralism and other indigenous livelihoods systems less resilient and highly susceptible to climate change and its related shocks.
In addition to the loss of land and natural resources, there has also been a loss of traditional practices and lifestyles, including losses of inter-generational transfers of traditional knowledge, losses of social organization, losses of traditional institutions, and losses cultural and spiritual practices – all of which contribute to perpetuating the structural inequalities that work to the disadvantage of indigenous peoples and minorities.
Addressing the above challenges requires dedicated efforts, and multi-pronged approaches based on a combination of skillsets that is difficult to have within a single organization. These complexities also require teamwork and joint approaches for improved effectiveness. This was the reason behind the formation of PARAAN as an Alliance so that members can design pathways to address challenges and build a voice around issues.
The formation of PARAAN was initiated by five (5) indigenous founding organizations, which were namely: (1) Indigenous Movement for Peace Advancement and Conflict Transformation (IMPACT), (2) Kivulini Trust (KT), (3) Samburu Women Trust (SWT), (4) Waso Trust Land (WTL) and (5) Indigenous Strategies and Institution for Development (ISID).
Paraan is a Maasai word used by all Maasai territorial sections (in Kenya and Tanzania) which means “mutual sharing and support”. It is a social strategy commonly used across all pastoralist territories that is used to uplift, support, and stabilize members of the community who have been hit hard by a calamity. Indigenous Peoples all over the world have their own strategies and means of sharing and supporting each other. This is what makes them resilient. Therefore, the meaning of PARAAN is more than just a name.
Paraan has been determined to be the foreign equivalent of a U.S. Public Charity.
This determination is attested in an Equivalency Determination Certificate issued by NGO Source, in January 2024.
To be a solidarity voice and action of indigenous peoples and minorities for stewardship of resources for collective well-being.
To protect and promote the collective rights and resources of indigenous peoples and minorities for sustainable livelihoods in Kenya & EA Region.
Towards sustainable livelihoods that uphold the rights of indigenous peoples & minorities in securing resource rights for prosperity.
PARAAN is also about building mutual relationships and caring for one another so we can stand strong collectively. Indigenous peoples world over have their own strategies and means of sharing and supporting each other. This is what makes them resilient.
Since its foundation in 2018 the membership of PARAAN has now grown continuously and includes to-date thirty-four (34) indigenous peoples organizations drawn from nine (9) different ASALs counties of Kenya, which are namely:
Marsabit County, Isiolo County, Laikipia County, Samburu County, Turkana County, Baringo County, Nakuru County, Kajiado County and Garissa County.
