Adaptation Measures to Mitigate the Impacts of Climate Variability among Pastoralists in Kajiado,...
Pastoralism is affected directly and indirectly by climate change and variability due to its impact on natural resources such as water and pastures that sustain livestock production in pastoral areas. Pastoralism is the key source of income in Kajiado County, where this study was conducted. The aim was to recognise the threats that pastoralism faces, as well as the coping methods used by Maasai pastoralists to mitigate the effects of adverse climate events such as flooding and drought. Primary data was collected through focus group discussions (FGDs), main informant interviews (KIIs), and expert opinion interviews using a cross-sectional research design (EOIs). A total of 10 focus groups (114 respondents from 10 wards, 81 men and 33 women), 25 KIIs (6 opinion leaders, 5 village elders, 6 chiefs, 6 government staff, and 2 non-governmental organisations), and 12 EOIs (1 Department of Meteorological Services, 1 National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), 2 Departments of Agriculture, and 8 Departments of Veterinary Services and Livestock Production) were conducted. Drought and flooding were the most common climate-related challenges faced by pastoralists, according to the findings. The adaptation measure which were frequently implemented by pastoralist during flooding was livestock vaccination and mass treatment of sick livestock (Z >1.96) while the most frequently implemented adaptation measures during drought periods included migration with livestock to search for water and pasture (Z=1.51) and livestock vaccination and treatment of sick livestock (Z=1.08). Other climate variability related-challenges included increased incidences of livestock diseases, increased livestock deaths, increased cases of community conflicts, unavailability of veterinary vaccines and medicines, high cost of livestock vaccines and drugs and inadequate number of technical staff within the county. The study found that climate instability has a direct impact on pastoralists' sources of income, prompting them to take a variety of adaptation steps to mitigate the effects of climate change and variability. The study suggests that effective strategies and policies be developed and implemented to promote the sustainability of fragile pastoral societies, as well as to help combat the negative effects of climate change and variability.