Drought Coping Strategies

Abstract

Pastoralism, which is the main source of livelihood to about 120 million pastoralists worldwide, is practiced in the dry lands that are characterized by low rainfall and frequent droughts. In the semi-arid and arid lands of Kenya (88% of the Kenya landmass), pastoralism accounts for 90% of the employment and 95% of the family incomes and livelihood security. It contributes to about 10% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and 50% of the agricultural GDP. However, frequent droughts have threatened this important sector which offers a viable production system in the vast dry lands of the country. This paper highlights on the effects of droughts on pastoralism and the coping and adaptive strategies employed by the Maasai pastoralists of northern Kenya with special reference to Mukogodo Division of the semi-arid Laikipia District.