Effects of Environmental Variability and Resource Conflicts on Food Insecurity in Kerio Valley Basin, Kenya
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Date
2023-05
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
Food insecurity continues to be a major challenge in the world. By 2018, one-third of the
global population experienced food insecurity. A greater proportion of the population that
J*p.rien.ed food iniecurity were in Sub Sahara Africa (SSA), East and Horn-of Africa,
and Northwestern Kenya including Kerio Valley. Accordingly, the purpose of this study
was to assess the nature of food insecurity and the drivers in Northwestern Kenya
particularly Northem Kerio Basin, a semi-arid valley. More specifically, the objectives
of tn. study were to assess the demographic characteristics of the local communities in
Northern Iierio Valley Basin, the nature of food insecurity, the nature of agro-pastoral
production, the effects ofresource-ethnic-conflicts on food insecurity, the effects ofthe
environmental variability and to identify mitigation measures to achieve food security
and development. The study site was Northern Kerio Valley, a triangle border consisting
of Kolowa Ward of Tiaty in Baringo County, Endo Ward of Elgeyo Marakwet County,
and Lomut Ward of the West Pokot County. The target population for the study was the
2600 households in which a sample size of 387 was determined using Yamane (1967)
formula for finite and small populations. Qualitative data were collected through Key
Informants Interviews (KIIs) and the Focused Group Discussions (FGDs). The primary
quantitative data were collected through a questionnaire which also incorporated an
adapted phased experience of food insecurity scale based on FAOIFSAU (2006) and
IpiC/FAO (2015) to us."s the prevalence of food insecurity. The study established that
Northem Kerio Basin was characterized by a young population, limited formal and
vocational education, limited occupation opportunities and extensive poverty.The study
established also that 98o/o of the households lived in a community or clan land, where
B9%hadcustomary rights to use l-2 acresof land for the homestead and cultivation. The
community (clan) land and limited access rights were associated with open resowce
access andlimited agricultural innovation and production. The study established that60Yo
of the households experienced three or more resource-ethnic conflicts in the last five years
and61%reported r.r"r" impact on access to food and livelihoods; 90% of the households
also experienced more tharthree drought cycles in the last five years and 70o/o reported
severe impact on their access to food and livelihoods. More importantly, the study
conciuded that 48% of the food insecurity had been influenced by the joint effects of
environmental variability and resource-ethnic conflicts. The study recommended
adoption of resilient and transformative agricultural production, and adoption of measures
to mitigate environmental variability andietated resource conflicts; rethink and repurpose
agriculiural production by embracing modemized agricultural practices; diversification
of ugro-purtoral occupations in arid and semi-arid zones; carryout land reforms in North
Kerio Vatley Basin with emphasis on land demarcation and adjudication with a view to
enhance food production, udd..s the 'tragedy of commons, reduce environmental
degradation and related resource conflicts. Adoption of measures that would mitigate
eniironmental vulnerability including enhanced and modernized irrigation technologies
and farm mechanization. Adopt measures that would enhance socio-economic
empoweflnent, including expanded formal and vocational education and expanded
occupation opportunities beyond the limited agro-pastoralism
Description
A Thesis Submitted to the School of law, Arts and Social
Sciences in Partial Fulf'illment of the Requirements for
The Award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in
Sociology (Security and Development) of the Kenyatta
University. May 2023