Background of CHEMUDEP
The Cherang’any Multipurpose Development Programme (commonly referred to as CHEMUDEP) was formed in 2003.
CHEMUDEP is registered as a Non-govern-mental Organization (NGO) whose membership is the indigenous people groups whose livelihoods and rights it aims to safeguard. These groups comprise of institutions, cooperatives, farmers, welfares, enterpris-es, societies, CBOS, WRUAs, CFAs and individuals that benefit directly or indirectly from the development programmes run by CHEMUDEP.
The Programme operations are in the four counties of Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, West-Pokot and Trans-Nzoia. Within the counties CHEMUDEP focuses its actions in specific villages with high settlements of the indigenous peoples such as Kaisagat, Talau, Kipteber, Kaibos, Koisungur, Kapolet, Kamoi, Chesubet, Kamuseny, Embobut, Chebororwa and Kapsiliot. CHEMUDEP operations are coordinated from its main offices in Kaibos, West Pokot County.
CHEMUDEP Structure
Currently a board of nine founder members provide the strategic guidance for the Programme’s actions, but there are plans to increase this to ensure that the 13 main areas of which the Programme is in operation are represented in the board. There is a management headed by the Executive Director that oversees the delivery of programmes to the members. The programmes are targeted at meeting the needs of the community in human rights, enterprise development, health, agriculture, tourism, culture and environmental conservation. Within the CHEMUDEP structure there are four levels of representation and decision making. At the lowest are the User Groups within the community of the Cherang’any IP. Next is the Executive Director who is appointed by the Steering Committee. Then followed by the Steering Committee of nine, commonly referred to as the board members who provide the overall guidance and oversight to CHEMUDEP. The board operates in consultation with strategic stakeholders, partners and government agencies. The top most organ is the Management Committee made up of the Executive Committee of representatives each from the seven beats as well as representatives of key strategic partners that organize the annual general meetings (AGM). This organisation structure is not yet completely developed as there are considerations of a Board of Trustees yet to be fine-tuned.
It was noted that the hierarchy does not apply in practice as represented in the figure because the community through the Annual General Meeting (AGM) hold the highest position. The board has to account for their activities to communities at the AGM.
Although CHEMUDEP has been in place for more than a decade, it was noted that the Programme is characteristic of an emergent organisation and needs to build its capacity to perform and deliver to members the expected benefits. Most of the Programmes actions so far have been ad hoc, with no plans in place and constrained by the inadequacy of resources for delivery of desired projects. However, the CHEMUDEP leadership has engaged in advocacy and have been successful on many fronts but there is still the need to ensure that its membership and the community stand with it. Currently, the membership of CHEMUDEP ranges between 500-600 members strong as individuals and coopeartions.
Strategic Objectives
- To strengthen CHEMUDEP governance and develop management structures
- To enhance community participation in conservation and management of Cherang'any Indigenous Peoples
- To facilitate development of sustainable livelihoods and enterprise of the Cherang'any indigenous peoples' territory
- To attain Cherang'any IP rights provided for in national and international
- To sensitize and promote higher learning education
- To promote partnership and collaboration with other stakeholders