Dimensions of Water Insecurity in Pastoralist Households in Kenya
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Date
2020
Authors
Balfour, Nancy
Obando, Joy
Gohil, Deepali
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Practical Action Publishing
Abstract
: Pastoralist communities in Northern Kenya face increasing water
security risks attributable to disruptions in their socio-ecological environments. Sedentarized pastoralists, women, and children are most vulnerable
to spatial-temporal variations in water availability. This vulnerability is
exacerbated by embedded power relations within existing socio-cultural
and water governance systems. A preliminary study carried out in 2016
examined pastoralist women’s disempowerment in relation to the domestic
water security constraints they face. The research found anecdotal evidence
that women with diversified livelihoods and social capital are more resilient
to water stress. The follow-on study was carried out in 2018 and aimed to
provide empirical evidence on factors behind water security and to identify
factors that enhance resilience for vulnerable pastoralist communities.
The study covered both urban and rural communities in Samburu County
and applied a mixed-methods research methodology incorporating quantitative and qualitative research approaches. The study was also used to test
a scale for measuring household water insecurity which could potentially
improve the methodology for assessing shock-related stress in these high-risk
communities. Results show extreme levels of water insecurity, especially in
rural areas, and indicate a close relationship between water security and
social capital as indicated in the earlier study. Livelihood diversity does
not appear to influence water security but households with higher numbers
of livestock tend to be more water insecure than households with smaller
herds. This is supported by reports from women that the additional burden
of watering homestead-based livestock makes them more vulnerable.
Description
Article
Keywords
water insecurity, pastoralist, household water insecurity scale
Citation
Balfour, N., Obando, J., & Gohil, D. (2020). Dimensions of water insecurity in pastoralist households in Kenya. Waterlines, (1), 24-43.