Finding Home Among Pastoralists (Kyrgyz Shepherds)
Growing up in Marsabit County, Loglogo I learned that life follows the rhythm of the land.
This summer, travelling nearly 9,969 kilometres from my home in Northern Kenya to Song-Köl, Kyrgyzstan was a journey I will never forget. At home in Loglogo village, which sits over 380 metres above sea level, I never imagined I would one day stand on the breathtaking Song-Köl pastures, nearly ten times higher in altitude, learning alongside young pastoralists from across the world. Despite the dramatic differences in landscape, what surprised me most was how familiar the stories of pastoral life felt.
Back home, my family would herd livestock for days during droughts in search of water and pasture. For us, pastoralism is more than raising animals, it is our identity, our culture, and our connection to the land. Those experiences inspired me to become a storyteller and advocate for Indigenous pastoralist communities’ rights because I believe our stories should be told by those who live them.
That belief is what brought me to the Inter-Regional Summer School of Young Pastoralists in Kyrgyzstan. Before arriving, I expected to learn about pasture management and leadership. Instead, I found something even more meaningful, a sense of belonging.
Standing on the breathtaking pastures of Song-Kol, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, I watched Kyrgyz shepherds prepare their horses and livestock for another day.
Although the lush alpine pastures in Kyrgyzstan are a world apart from the dry rangelands of northern Kenya, we gathered as young pastoralists from Africa, Central Asia, and EMENA to speak about many of the same issues: climate change, protecting grazing lands, preserving culture, and securing communal land rights. Despite different landscapes and languages, we shared remarkably similar hopes and challenges.
One of my favourite experiences was immersing myself in the daily life of Kyrgyz pastoralists. For the first time, I watched a mare being milked, tasted both fresh and fermented mare's milk (kumis), and rode a horse across the pastures. Coming from a camel-herding Ren’dille community, these experiences were both new and eye-opening. They reminded me that while our traditions and livestock may differ, our bond with the land and the values that sustain pastoral life are universal.
That realisation became even stronger during the last evening at Song-Kül as we gathered around a campfire after a day in the field. Sharing stories, laughter, and warm tea with fellow participants from different parts of the world.
The Summer School also showed me how Indigenous knowledge and modern technology can work together. Seeing traditional pasture management complemented by drones, GPS, GIS, and FAO's Open Foris tools gave me hope for the future of pastoralism.
The programme concluded at the beautiful Lake Issyk-Kul, where we co-created a Youth Declaration. I was proud to contribute to a document that calls for secure land rights, sustainable pasture management, climate resilience, and meaningful women & youth participation. Knowing it will be presented at COP17 in Mongolia gives me hope that the voices of young pastoralists will be heard on the global stage.
As I return home to Kenya, I carry more than memories of Kyrgyzstan and warm hospitality. I carry new friendships, fresh ideas, and renewed hope. This journey reminded me that while our landscapes may differ, pastoralists everywhere share the same commitment: to protect our lands, preserve our cultures, and ensure that future generations can continue to thrive.
I am deeply grateful to the International Land Coalition and other partners for making this experience possible. Bringing together young pastoralists from across the world to learn from one another, exchange ideas, and amplify our collective voice is an investment in the future of pastoralism. I leave Kyrgyzstan inspired, connected, and more determined than ever to continue advocating for the rights, resilience, and leadership of pastoralist communities.
