STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING ON POLICY ENGAGEMENT REVIEW AND 2026 PLANNING

Purpose and Rationale of the Meeting

The Steering Committee meeting was convened to provide a structured space for reflection, learning, and forward planning following the submission of memoranda to the MMU. The engagement with the Office of the President marked a significant milestone for hunter-gatherer communities, and it was essential to assess both the process and outcomes to inform future advocacy strategies.

The meeting sought to:

• Review and present the memoranda submitted by member communities;

• Reflect on lessons, challenges, and opportunities arising from the submission process;

• Identify follow-up actions to ensure sustained inclusion of hunter-gatherer communities within national marginalization policy frameworks;

• Assess progress made in 2025 across program activities, including achievements and challenges;

• Review the development of the HUGAFO-K website; and

• Develop and approve a clear and actionable 2026 annual work plan.

Participation and Opening Session

The meeting was attended by Steering Committee members representing various hunter-gatherer communities within the HUGAFO-K network, the Secretariat, and project staffs.

Figure 2:steering committee with SIEMEMPUU team

During the morning session, visitors from SIEMPUU briefly joined the Steering Committee. The SIEMPUU representatives introduced their organization and expressed their commitment to supporting indigenous communities, particularly in areas of advocacy, capacity strengthening, and collaboration at national and regional levels. They emphasized the importance of strong indigenous-led networks such as HUGAFO-K in advancing rights-based approaches.

Following their remarks, it was agreed that the Head of Secretariat would share contact details of Steering Committee members with SIEMPUU to facilitate future engagement, coordination, and partnership discussions.

Review of MMU Policy Engagement and Memoranda Submission

Figure 3:Review of petition submission

A key agenda item of the meeting was the review of the engagement with the Minority and Marginalized Unit (MMU) and the submission of community memoranda.

Steering Committee members shared detailed reflections on:

• The community consultation processes undertaken prior to drafting the memoranda;

• Experiences during presentations to the Office of the President;

• Community perceptions of the process; and

• Observed gaps and strengths within the national marginalization framework.

Members noted that the process provided a rare opportunity for hunter-gatherer communities to directly articulate their lived realities, including land dispossession, lack of access to services, cultural marginalization, and historical exclusion from state planning processes. The memoranda were seen as a critical step toward influencing how marginalization is defined, measured, and addressed at the national level.

However, challenges were also highlighted, including limited time allocated for presentations, technical language barriers, and uncertainties around how community inputs will be integrated into final policy outcomes. The Steering Committee emphasized the need for continued follow-up, documentation, and engagement to ensure that the voices of hunter-gatherer communities are not diluted in subsequent policy stages.

The meeting agreed on the importance of developing a collective follow-up plan, including tracking feedback from the MMU, preparing for possible validation forums, and strengthening community awareness on the policy process.

Review of 2025 Activities and Annual Reports

The Steering Committee proceeded to review progress made in 2025, with members presenting summaries of their annual activities. Discussions focused on:

• Key achievements across advocacy, community mobilization, and capacity building;

• Challenges encountered, including resource limitations, logistical constraints, and policy-related delays; and

• Lessons learned that could inform future programming.

Members acknowledged progress in strengthening inter-community coordination, increasing visibility of hunter-gatherer issues at national level, and improving internal governance structures within the network. At the same time, the need for improved documentation, timely reporting, and stronger communication mechanisms was emphasized.

The Secretariat guided members on consolidating annual activity reports to ensure comprehensive documentation for organizational learning and accountability to partners.

Website Development Review

Figure 4:comment about website

A key agenda item was the review of the HUGAFO-K website. The Steering Committee were joined by that Powerland Website Developers virtually to present a review of the website under development.

The developers reported that the website is approximately 70% complete, with the core structure, layout, and key content sections already developed. During the virtual session, Steering Committee members were taken through the website’s design, functionality, and content flow.

Members provided feedback and recommendations aimed at ensuring the website:

• Accurately reflects the identity and diversity of hunter-gatherer communities;

• Serves as a documentation, learning, and advocacy platform; and

To support completion of the website, Steering Committee members were requested to share community photographs as well as individual profile photos to be uploaded onto the platform. This was emphasized as essential for visibility, storytelling, and ownership of the platform by member communities.

Development of the 2026 Annual Work Plan

The final substantive session focused on developing and approving the 2026 annual work plan. Building on reflections from the MMU engagement and the 2025 activity review, members identified key priorities for the coming year.

Discussions centered on:

• Sustained policy engagement and follow-up on marginalization frameworks;

• Strengthening community documentation and communication;

• Capacity building for Steering Committee members;

• Strategic partnerships; and

• Resource mobilization.

Clear activities, responsibilities, and timelines were outlined to ensure the work plan is practical, realistic, and community-driven. The Steering Committee collectively reviewed and approved the 2026 work plan, affirming shared responsibility for its implementation.

Steering committee Proposed workplan

Year 2025 Achievements

Official unification of Wayuu identity across regions

Commitment from KNBS to support biometric data access

Growth of HUGAFO-K membership and representational strength

Advancements in cultural revitalization, including Bible translation and dictionary efforts

Women, youth empowerment and agroecology initiatives in Embobut

Successful coordination of national public participation across all communities

Strengthened Policy Engagement-All communities under HUGAFO-K successfully submitted memoranda on the National Policy and Bill on Ethnic Minorities and Marginalized Communities to their respective County Commissioners.

Membership in the Indigenous Women’s Coalition (IWC)

Recommendations for the 2025 activities

Strengthen planning and ensure alignment with emerging community needs.

Expand fundraising initiatives and secure sustainable financial resources.

Improve documentation, media visibility, and website functionality.

Follow up with NGEC and KNBS for recognition of ethnic codes.

Promote cultural revitalization programs and the protection of Indigenous languages.

Increase climate education and develop accessible carbon literacy materials.

Enhance youth leadership and participation in community governance.

Support community land registration and initiate boundary survey programs.

Establish and strengthen Indigenous governance institutions such as councils of elders and women’s groups.

Deepen partnerships with civil society, government, and international organizations

Conclusion and Way Forward

The Steering Committee Meeting on Policy Engagement Review and 2026 Planning was a critical platform for reflection, learning, and strategic alignment. The meeting strengthened internal coordination, consolidated collective positions on national policy engagement, and positioned HUGAFO-K for effective implementation in 2026.

Key next steps include:

• Implementing the agreed follow-up actions on the MMU memoranda;

• Finalizing and documenting 2025 activity reports;

• Completing and launching the HUGAFO-K website.

• Rolling out the approved 2026 annual work plan.

The meeting reaffirmed the Steering Committee’s commitment to advancing the rights, dignity, and inclusion of hunter-gatherer communities in Kenya through coordinated and informed action.