Effects of climate-change variability on livestock production and coping strategies in Maikona, Marsabit County, Kenya

Abstract

Abstract. Wato M, Koech MK, Maraga JN. 2022. Effects of climate-change variability on livestock production and coping strategies in Maikona, Marsabit County, Kenya. Intl J Trop Drylands 6: 90-102. Climate change is viewed as one of humanity's greatest challenges. This study sought to investigate the coping mechanisms pastoral communities have employed in Maikona Location (Marsabit County, Kenya) and their sustainability. The study employed quantitative and qualitative methods, targeting 145 respondents, including 127 household respondents, 14 Women and Youth group members in FGDs, and 4 technical/NGO representatives. Questionnaires, FGDs, and key informant checklists were the main tools. Data were analyzed both inferentially and descriptively. The study envisioned would give vital information to policy-makers and pastoral development stakeholders on the actual impacts facing the pastoralists and the existing and appropriate coping mechanisms while guiding the interventions and policy options. The study found that there had been real and perceived changes in temperature and rainfall patterns. Field inquiries indicated rainfall patterns significantly changed (94%) between 1980 and 2010, as well as a significantly declining trend of the data from the metrological department. These changes were established to negatively impact livestock production and the livelihood of the community in the study area. The local community was found to seek relief food, buy food on credit and sell livestock assets as common coping strategies. The sustainability of those strategies, however, is in immense doubt since most of the respondents were not even sure of their longevity, while others admitted they might not use them for long. Moreover, most (84%) of the respondents could not tell the consequences of their strategies on the environment. The external supports provided to the communities were largely in response to emergencies and were not viewed as sustainable in the long term. The study recommended constantly sharing rainfall data from the metrological department with the pastoralists to understand the dynamics of rainfall and temperature variations on livestock production and possible coping strategies customized for their situation and advise them on sustainability. The study further recommended the need for long-term support like establishing a livestock market, supporting education through sponsorship, and adopting policies that support mobility instead of sedentarization of the communities.