Drought coping mechanisms among nomadic pastoralists in Mandera East Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

Frequently occurring drought and other climatic shocks that threaten nomadic pastoralist livelihoods in Kenya have prompted rural communities to adopt innovative coping mechanisms. Decades long of improper national policies have restricted the nomadic pastoralists access to significant grazing lands and water points leading to intensifying climate shocks such as drought and resource-based conflicts thus undermining their resilience. This study sought to assess the drought coping mechanisms among nomadic pastoralists in Mandera East Sub-County, Kenya. The study's specific objectives were to evaluate the home level effects of the drought on nomadic pastoralists in Mandera East Sub-County, to establish the traditional drought coping mechanisms among nomadic pastoralists in Mandera East Sub-County and to suggest better ways which the existing coping mechanisms can help in improving the lives of nomadic pastoralists during drought. This study used phenomenological research design and targeted the 25,904 household heads in Mandera East Sub-County. Purposive sampling method was applied to sample a size of 75 participants from whom data was collected using FGDs, in-depth interviews, and key informant interviews. Document analysis was applied in the gathering of secondary data. The study was guided by cultural ecology theory. The collected data was divided into topics, and then it was analyzed using content analysis. Findings show that drought had devastating effects on nomadic pastoralists in Mandera East Sub-County at household levels by reducing and at times depleting their herd, making some of them abandon their rural life, while businesses that depend on livestock sector faced existential threats. The study has documented various coping mechanisms deployed by nomadic pastoralists in Mandera East Sub-County, namely migration to neighboring counties and countries, selling part of the herd to get money needed for the drought period and moving livestock closer to water points. The study also found out that there are better ways the existing drought coping mechanism can be improved mainly by setting up an adequate drought mitigation plan at county level especially drought early warning system. Nomadic households are in dire need of effective national policies that are helpful at times of drought, mainly those that concern provision of water and pasture to their livestock. Water tracking and distribution of fodder are ways that the existing coping mechanism can be improved. The study concluded that drought is affecting nomadic pastoralist in Mandera East Sub-County more frequently apparently due to climate change. The coping mechanisms among nomadic pastoralists are partially helpful but need to be strengthened by the county and national governments.