Across the world, Indigenous Peoples constitute more than six per cent of the global population and live in over 90 countries. They are custodians of rich cultural heritage and ancestral knowledge in areas such as medicine, nutrition, farming, environmental conservation, and weather forecasting. Despite these contributions, Indigenous communities continue to face disproportionate levels of marginalisation, discrimination, and violations of their rights.
Kenya is home to more than 25 communities that identify as Indigenous Peoples, including pastoralist communities that make up nearly a quarter of the national population. While these communities are diverse in culture, traditions, and ways of life, they share many common challenges. Across the country, Indigenous Peoples continue to face limited access to resources and decision-making spaces, while those who speak out against injustices often encounter stigma, criminalisation, and, in extreme cases, deadly violence.
In August 2026, Samburu Women Trust, a longstanding partner of Defenders Coalition, convened its 12th Annual Indigenous Women Conference. The convening brought together Indigenous women and community leaders from across Kenya to reflect on progress made in advancing the rights, dignity, and inclusion of Indigenous Peoples.
The conference was an opportunity for reflection on achievements and emerging opportunities. One of the most encouraging observations was the growing voice of Indigenous communities in discussions concerning the ownership, governance, and use of rangelands. This progress is significant because access to and control of land remain closely linked to economic empowerment, food security, and sustainable livelihoods.
Greater participation in decisions affecting communal land presents an opportunity for Indigenous communities to address historical injustices while improving their socio-economic wellbeing.
A central theme of the conference was the role of Indigenous women in shaping resilient and sustainable communities. For generations, Indigenous women have served as custodians of communal lands and natural resources. They have protected grazing systems, safeguarded water sources, preserved Indigenous knowledge, nurtured families, mediated conflicts, and sustained livelihoods under increasingly challenging climatic conditions.
The Annual Indigenous Women Conference continues to provide a space for recognising and amplifying these contributions. Beyond creating a sense of belonging and solidarity, the forum celebrates the courage of women who are championing inclusion in decision-making processes, advocating for sustainable management of natural resources, and seeking justice for victims of human rights violations within their communities. In doing so, it affirms the central role that women play in promoting and protecting human rights.
One of the highlights of this year’s conference was a visit to Umoja Cultural Village in the Archers Post area of Isiolo County. The women-led village serves as a refuge and empowerment centre for women facing various forms of vulnerability and exclusion. Its model demonstrates how community-led initiatives can achieve both social protection and economic resilience.
Women at Umoja Women Camp generate income through the production of handcrafted jewellery and cultural artefacts, which are marketed to visitors and supporters. They also engage in small-scale agriculture despite the difficult climatic conditions of the region. These initiatives not only support livelihoods but also demonstrate innovative approaches to self-reliance and sustainable development in arid and semi-arid lands.
The visit emphasized the importance of investing in locally driven solutions that enable communities to protect their rights while improving their economic wellbeing. It also highlighted how community resilience, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship can work together to build a sustainable future for coming generations.
The conference concluded with a strong recognition that northern Kenya’s rangelands are undergoing unprecedented transformation. Climate change is intensifying droughts and competition for scarce resources. Population growth is increasing pressure on communal lands, while renewable energy projects, conservation initiatives, carbon markets, infrastructure development, and private investments are rapidly reshaping landscapes that have sustained pastoralist communities for generations.
These changes present both opportunities and risks. The decisions made today will determine whether development becomes a pathway towards shared prosperity, justice, and resilience, or whether it deepens exclusion and dispossession for Indigenous communities. Ensuring that Indigenous Peoples, particularly women, are meaningfully involved in shaping these decisions will be critical to achieving equitable and sustainable development outcomes.
Defenders Coalition recognises the vital role that Indigenous human rights defenders play in protecting the rights, freedoms, and livelihoods of their communities. Many Indigenous women stand at the forefront of these efforts, often at considerable personal risk. As partners continue working towards a future grounded in dignity, justice, and inclusion, sustained solidarity and support for Indigenous women human rights defenders will remain essential in advancing human rights for all.