Boran Pastoral Innovations in Response to Climate Change: a Case of Merti Division, Isiolo County, Kenya
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Date
2014-03-10
Authors
Aga, Omar Boru Jillo
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Abstract
Pastoralism is the main source of livelihood for Boran community inhabiting Northern
Kenya. Over time, they have developed coping strategies aimed at rninimising losses
from aridity. Although the strategies may have served the community well in the past,
they are presently perceived as inadequate in the light of climate change. This study
investigated necessary adjustments in the strategies and innovations among the Boran in
Merti Division of Isiolo County. Specific objectives were to investigate innovations by
Boran pastoralist' in response to climate change, to find out the main drivers of
innovation practices and to establish the relationships between herders' innovation
practices, climate change and livelihood strategies Qualitative and quantitative
approaches were applied. The target population was 400 from which a random sample of
80 herders was drawn. All the 6 local chiefs and 6 community leaders in the area were
also interviewed. Data was collected using semi structured questionnaires and key
Informant interviews. The resulting data was coded and statistically analyzed using the
statistical package for a social scientist (SPSS). Then the results were analysed, discussed
and presented in graphs, pie charts and tables. The results showed that there were main
drivers of innovations among Boran pastoralists in Merti Division. They include
prolonged droughts, conflicts and invasive species which are linked to climatic changes.
There were also response strategies which were found to be improvement in their usual
drought coping strategies while others are newly emerging strategies. The innovation
practices include agreement between herders and ranchers, livelihood diversification,
inter-community negotiations, change in mobility, among others. The study established
that 53% of the pastoralists were aged over 40 years while 47% were aged below 40
years though there was no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.092I ). On
the period the respondents had worked as pastoralist, the results showed that majority
(52%) had worked for more than 9 years while the rest had worked for less than 9 years
as pastoralists. Further, the results of the study established that climate change was a key
driver of herders led innovation practices. The study established that a unit deterioration
of the climate change would lead to an increase in the herders led innovation practices by
4.5 units with this being significant at 5% level of significance (p=O.OOO). On the other
hand, livelihood strategies were also to be significantly associated with herder led
innovation with a p-value of 0.000. The study concluded that climate change has had an
impact on Boran pastoralists' forcing them to improve their existing drought coping
mechanisms and adopt newly emerging strategies. Some of the key recommendations are
increasing participation of pastoralist in development of pastoral policies, reducing
obstacles that hinder pastoral mobility and strengthening of security and peaceful
existence in Northern Kenya in order to enhance adaptation to climate change.
Description
Department of Environmental Studies and Community Development, 2013