Indigenous knowledge factors influencing farmers’ uptake of climate change adaptation strategies in Kajiado County, Kenya

Abstract

Due to the effects of climate change, farmers in Kajiado County have embraced different climate change adaptation strategies including the use of indigenous knowledge (IK) and scientific approaches. The objective of this study was to assess the determinants of farmers’ IK practices influencing the uptake of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies (CCAS) in Kajiado County, Kenya. Using the Model of Private Proactive Adaptation to Climate Change (MPPACC), IK-related contextual factors that constituted the socio-demographic, economic, and geo-ecological variables were tested against the CCAS variable on Pearson Coefficient Correlation in determining associations. Multi-stage sampling was done and data were collected using questionnaires, key informant interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and observation checklists while data analysis involved the use of both descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings show CCAS were likely to be adapted to by those with higher levels of education and those with higher levels of monthly income while those unwilling were more likely males, older, with larger household sizes. and those who owned land. The findings also showed that effective approaches including IK climate change adaptation practices and the CCAS can be applied in a complimentary manner to achieve the desired results in regions that possess diverse climatic and geophysical conditions.