Factors Influencing Pastoral and Agropastoral Household Vulnerability to Food Insecurity in the Drylands of Kenya: A Case Study of Kajiado and Makueni Counties

Abstract

This study establishes the determinants of household vulnerability to food insecurity in pastoral households of Kajiado and agropastoral households of Makueni Counties of Kenya. A randomly selected sample of 198 households was interviewed. Descriptive analysis showed that pastoral households of Kajiado County were more vulnerable to food insecurity (VFI) with a VFI of 0.59 than agropastoral households in Makueni County, who had a VFI of 0.27. Further, a two stage least squares approach established that vulnerability of households to food insecurity is determined by land size, household size, rainfall and herd size for Makueni County and access to climate information, herd size, off-farm employment and gender of the household head for Kajiado County. The findings imply that Makueni County needs access to and control over land resources, destocking through improved livestock breeds and creation of a microclimate to enhance rainfall levels. For Kajiado County, policies need to promote access to climate information, diversification of livelihoods and female access to production resources.

Determinants of pastoral and agro-pastoral households’ participation in fodder production in Makueni and Kajiado Counties, Kenya

“…The study sites were located in Makueni and Kajiado Counties in the ASALs of southern Kenya (Amwata et al 2015). Makueni County falls between latitude 1°35′ and 30°00′ S and longitude 37°10′ and 38°3 0′ E with an area of 7965.8 km 2 .…”

“…These study sites are characterized by highly variable and unpredictable rainfall patterns as well as more severe and extended drought (Gikaba et al 2014;Amwata et al 2015). They experience long rains from March to May and short rains from October to December (Gikaba et al 2014;Amwata et al 2015), with annual rainfall ranging from 300 to 1250 mm (Moss 2001; County Government of Makueni 2013). The temperatures in these areas range between 12 and 35°C and are influenced by the season and topography (County Government of Makueni 2013; Gikaba et al 2014).…”

Prevalence of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) and Chemical Management in Loitoktok, Kajiado County, Kenya

“…Social-cultural factors can be the main reasons for low formal education affecting most tomato growers in Loitokitok. Longer distances to schools, early marriage, lack of interest by parents, and forced marriage are some of the constraints in access to education (Amwata et al, 2016). Education is an important factor in tomato production in that it allows the farmers to have knowledge on several aspects of production including marketing strategies, pesticide application, investments, and environmental tolerance before embarking on production.…”

The value of pastoralism in Kenya: Application of total economic value approach

“…About 80% of Kenya is characterised as arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) with pastoralism as the main source of livelihood to millions of people residing in these lands (Amwata et al 2015). There is a general consensus that pastoralism contributes between 10 and 44% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of African countries with approximately 1.3 billion people benefiting from the livestock value chain (Karaimu 2013).…”

“…Despite the role of pastoralism in the local, national and global economies, it faces several setbacks that hinder the realisation of its full potential. These setbacks include misconceptions on pastoralism, climate change, globalisation, urbanisation and undervaluation of the pastoral economy (Amwata et al 2015).…”