Abstract:
Climate change is manifested in changing weather patterns and temperature fluctuations over time. For example, Kajiado County of Kenya is experiencing an increased frequency and intensity of droughts, now occurring every 2-3 years. Therefore, the study investigated the influence of stakeholder participation approaches on climate change mitigation, focusing on mitigation initiatives implemented by the SNV and KCSAP in Kajiado County, Kenya. The specific objectives were to investigate the influence of stakeholder awareness on climate change mitigation; to establish the influence of stakeholder collaboration on climate change mitigation, Kenya; and to determine the influence of stakeholder engagement on climate change mitigation. A descriptive survey design was chosen for the study. The study was located in Kajiado County. Multi-stage sampling was used to select the number of respondents from government representatives, SNV committee members, KCSAP committee members, and project beneficiaries. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedules, and focus group discussions. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the results presented accompanied by narrative description. A majority of stakeholders surveyed were aware of changing climate conditions, and identified an increase in unpredictable rains, increase in prolonged drought, increase in very hot seasons, and increase in very wet seasons, as some of the observable changes. Awareness of climate change was also high, with 67.7% stating that they have encountered information about climate change through interactions with government officials, NGOs working in the community, and farmer self-help groups. A majority of those surveyed also indicated that climate change was caused by human activities mainly and together with natural changes. Awareness of impacts of climate change was also high, with respondents attributing death of livestock, decline in livestock production, loss in income, and increase in food prices to climate change. Stakeholders collaborated in sharing diverse views in order to come up with common solutions that could be implemented to address climate change. Stakeholder collaboration was mainly driven by SNV and KCSAP project committee members, local environmental NGOs, county and national government, and farmer self-help groups. Collaboration was strongest in the identification and characterization of stakeholder roles, capacity building, establishing power relations between stakeholders, isolating points of leverage points, and putting in place co-learning processes. Collaboration was weakest in resource mobilization and allocation or setting up structures that could aid internal learning among stakeholders. When it came to implementing agreed solutions, the most engaged stakeholders were SNV and KCSAP committees, local and international environmental groups and NGOs, and farmer self-help groups. Stakeholder engagement was highest in organizing farmers in self-help groups for effective participation, developing legislations and policies, and providing seedlings and farm machines. However, there was also some form of training for farmers, provision of diversified livestock types such as Sahiwal cattle and Dorper sheep and providing fertilizers. Overall, the most implemented climate mitigation initiatives were irrigation practices, diversification in crop types and varieties, and diversification of livestock types and varieties. This study recommends increased stakeholder awareness through old media platforms and new media platforms, such as social media to disseminate climate change information. There should be a stronger collaboration with private businesses in formulating solutions to address the impact of climate change. In terms of engagement in implementing interventions, evidence of a top-down approach calls for a strong participatory approach.