Determinants of adoption of emergent livelihood strategies among pastoralists in Sook Division, West Pokot County, Kenya

Abstract

Pastoralism evolved as a response to two factors; medium human population densities and the presence of extensive rangelands. This is however no longer the case because of the increase in both human and livestock populations. Encroachment into rangelands coupled with persistent droughts has meant that traditional pastoralism is no longer tenable. In order to survive, the pastoralists have to adapt to these changes by moving into emergent livelihood strategies. The Pokots in particular have for many years over relied on traditional pastoralism and have remained in abject poverty. This is despite immense natural resource endowment in their area of habitation. Many reasons have been given for this state of abject poverty, including failure by the community to adapt to changes in their environment by embracing emergent livelihood strategies. Based on this scenario, this study investigated determinants of adoption of these emergent livelihood strategies among pastoralists in Sook Division, West Pokot County and proposed means of enhancing their adoption. The study therefore aimed at achieving the following objectives: to find out how new technologies are contributing to adoption of emergent livelihood strategies; to assess how change in weather patterns has brought about emergent livelihood strategies; to examine the role of non state actors in the adoption of emergent livelihood strategies; and to examine the role of state actors in the adoption of emergent livelihood strategies. This study was guided by the Expected Utility Theory advanced by Hillel Einhorn. The study was qualitative in nature and as such case study research design was used. The target population was the 29,916 pastoralists in Sook Division. Purposive sampling technique was used to get a sample size of five groups for focus group discussions and 13 participants for in-depth interviews. To collect data, the study used semi-structured interview schedule, focus group discussions and secondary data. The data collected was analyzed using thematic analysis where categories of responses for each objective from the respondents were identified, classified and combined into themes. The data was then interpreted and presented based on these categories and themes. This study has four major findings. First, the application of new technologies has increased efficiency and raised productivity hence making it profitable and attractive to practice emergent livelihood strategies. Secondly, changes in weather patterns have created conditions in which emergent livelihood strategies are more profitable and guarantee survival. Thirdly the numerous non state actors in Sook have improved the socioeconomic infrastructure and built capacity among the people, hence enabling people to adopt emergent livelihood strategies. Fourthly, the state actors have improved security and socioeconomic infrastructure, therefore enabling people to adopt emergent livelihood strategies. The study therefore recommends that all stakeholders make concerted effort to increase the use of new technologies, improve weather change survival, and adaptation strategies, and increase the activities of both state and non-state actors.