Rural livelihoods in the arid and semi-arid environments of Kenya: Sustainable alternatives and challenges

Abstract

The improvement of the welfare of inhabitants of arid and semi-arid lands, either through the enhancement of existing livelihoods or the promotion of alternative ones, and their potential constraints are discussed. Alternative livelihoods are discussed under regenerative and extractive themes with respect to environmental stability. Regenerative (i.e., non-extractive) livelihoods include activities like apiculture, poultry keeping, pisciculture, silkworm production, drought tolerant cash cropping, horticulture, community wildlife tourism, processing of livestock and crop products, agro-forestry for tree products, and micro-enterprises in the informal sector. Examples of livelihoods that are extractive or potentially so include timber production, woodcarving, basketry, brick making, sand scooping, and charcoal making. Suggestions to improve these livelihoods in a sustainable manner are offered.

Prevalence of malnutrition among preschool children (6-59 months) in Western Province, Kenya

“…Malnutrition has devastating effects on any population as it increases mortality and morbidity rates, diminishes the cognitive abilities of children and lowers their educational attainment, reduces labour productivity and reduces the quality of life of all affected (Wekesa et al, 2006). Children are more vulnerable to infection and their rapid rate of growth is easily affected by poor nutrition, hence their nutritional status measurements are a good indicator of overall community health (Ngugi and Nyariki, 2006).…”

“…Children are more vulnerable to infection and their rapid rate of growth is easily affected by poor nutrition, thus measures of children's nutritional status are a good barometer of overall community health (Ngugi and Nyariki, 2006). The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional status, dietary patterns, socioeconomic and malaria infection of the children.…”

Testing the orthodoxies of land degradation policy in Swaziland

“…The majority of rural livelihoods are very diverse, spreading risk and reducing vulnerability to shocks (Chambers, 1997), as factors that create risk for one income source may not be the same as those that create risk for another (Ngugi and Nyariki, 2005). Arable production, which takes place on allocated land, represents a significant component of most livelihoods (even when it does not represent a form of cash income).…”

“…Both the purchasing of wood and the collection and use of dried cow dung have knock-on environmental effects that could lead to degradation, since they both involve further extractive and potentially environmentally unfavourable practices (Ngugi and Nyariki 2005).…”

Assessment of gender and innovations in climate-smart agriculture for food and nutrition security in Kenya: a case of Kalii watershed

“…Low rainfall in ASALs makes farming a challenge for resource-poor households, the smallholders. Climate-change and variability, decreasing farm-size, crop yield and household (HH) incomes as well as degradation of land, tree-cover and waterresources exacerbates the situation (Ngugi and Nyariki, 2005). CC&V affects the different gender-cadres due to frequent crop failures and frequent loss of livestock during droughts (Lobell et al, 2011).…”