Pastoralist mobility as a drought adaptation strategy for household food security in Wajir County, Kenya
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.51867/AQSSR.3.4.19Mots-clés :
Adaptation, Climate Change, Drought, Food Security, Mobility, Pastoralist, Wajir CountyRésumé
Climate change has resulted in an increase in food insecurity in Wajir County that has required pastoralist households to embrace various mobility strategies to enhance their food security during this period. This study aimed to assess the type of pastoral mobility utilized during drought emergencies in Wajir County. The study was anchored on the Food Security Framework of the World Food Summit, which conceptualizes food security in terms of availability, access, utilization and stability. A descriptive survey research design combining quantitative and qualitative approaches was adopted. Wajir North Sub-County has 52 villages and settlements that have 18,377 households that represent the population from which a sample of 378 households was identified using the Krejcie and Morgan table and selected through multi-stage, proportionate and systematic sampling. A questionnaire, key informant interview schedules and focus group discussions were used to gather data. Data analysis included descriptive analysis of quantitative data as well as thematic analysis of qualitative data. The study findings were presented using frequencies and percentages. Split-herd mobility (34.9%) and emergency long-distance trekking (23.3%) were the dominant drought mobility strategies, followed by opportunistic short-notice mobility (16.7%), cross-border mobility (10.6%), reduced mobility near permanent water points (9.3%) and partial household migration to towns (5.3%). Improved access to food and risk management were the main benefits of mobility, while livestock diseases, conflicts and livestock raiding were the main challenges encountered. The study recommends securing mobility corridors and reinforcing land and mobility rights for pastoralists, including cross-border arrangements, alongside improved security and veterinary services along migration routes and the development of market infrastructure to enhance access and economic resilience. It also recommends the strengthening of social safety nets, such as community-based savings and credit schemes, to help households that cannot sustain mobility better cope with seasonal and economic shocks.
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© Hassan Gabow Madey, Nicodemus Nyandiko, Stanley Omuterema (Author) 2026
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