Drought Early Recovery Strategies Influencing Sustainable Livelihood Options Among Households In Turkana Central Sub County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Drought has significant impacts in climate sensitive sectors in ASAL areas of Kenya.

Despite the existence of drought early recovery strategies, Turkana central suffers from

extreme drought conditions with negative implications on livelihood security. This study

sought to examine the drought early recovery strategies influencing Sustainable livelihood

options among households in Turkana Central Sub County. The study was guided by three

specific objectives including to: determine the early recovery strategies towards drought

occurrence among households; examine the effects of drought on livelihood options among

households and to evaluate the effectiveness of early recovery strategies in use against

drought. The study used structured household questionnaires, participant observation

checklists, key informant interview guides and focus group discussions to collect both

quantitative and qualitative primary data. Secondary data included content reviews

obtained from publications, journals, and internet access. A sample size of 384 households

was determined using fisher’s formula. The study utilised proportionate, quota sampling

and purposive sampling. All the quantitative data collected was analysed using Excel and

SPSS version 20 to generate descriptive statistics. The study was anchored on Pressure and

Release Model as well as the Watts and Bohle vulnerability Model. The drought early

recovery strategies identified in this study included crop farming found to be the main

livelihood activity relied on by households at 58% with 26% relying on livestock keeping,

14% on social support networks while other livelihood diversification activities at 4%

respectively. The results indicated that drought has had a huge negative impact on the lives

of pastoralists. Livestock mortality accounted for 51.5% of the effects of drought on

pastoral households while shortage of food accounted for 25.5%. Water shortage and poor

nutritional diets accounted for 20% and 3% of the effects of drought on livelihoods

respectively. The study also revealed further that among the drought early recovery

strategies used in the area, crop farming and provision of food for school going children

were the most effective early recovery strategies as they addressed long-term needs. The

study concluded that drought remains a potent threat to the fragile local and climate

sensitive economies such as livestock keeping and crop farming in Turkana central sub

county. The findings of this study will therefore deepen understanding and knowledge

about pastoralists ’adaptation and coping responses to drought stresses, possible

intervention measures as well as inform policy makers on policy designed to reverse the

decline in pastoral production systems. Furthermore, the findings will also seek to inform

the formulation and establishment of an early recovery strategy and policies for ASAL

areas using Turkana County as a reference case study. It will also further contribute to the

scientific knowledge base which can be used for academic purposes globally.