Using participatory epidemiological techniques to estimate the relative incidence and impact on livelihoods of livestock diseases amongst nomadic pastoralists in Turkana South District, Kenya

Bett, Bernard K.; Jost, Christine; Allport, Robert; Mariner, Jeffrey C.

doi:10.1016/j.prevetmed.2009.05.001

Cited by 67 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…An adakar was defined as a cluster of often-related Turkana households with their herds coming together to pursue similar activities such as search for pasture, water and security, under a trusted leader (Bett et al 2009). The six administrative Divisions are divided into Location units totaling 20.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Economic losses associated with Peste des petits ruminants in Turkana County Kenya

et al. 2015

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Peste des petits ruminants is a major economic disease affecting the pastoral herders in Kenya, with outbreaks in Turkana County having devastating effects on the Turkana livelihoods. Turkana County is a region associated with natural and manmade disasters, poor infrastructure and insecurity. There is limited essential data on livestock diseases and economic analysis. This study has attempted to estimate the direct economic loses occasioned by outbreaks of Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) based on perceived loss of benefits experienced by the Turkana people. Parameters for the analytical model were derived from secondary data, informal interviews and focused group discussions using participatory epidemiology methods. Results shows that losses due to PPR were estimated at US$ 19.1 million and mortality of small stock due to PPR constituted the greatest economic loss valued at US$ 16.8 million being 88% of the total losses. Other losses due to lost milk and weight loss constitute approximately 12% of the total losses. PPR has serious economic impacts on pastoral livelihoods, and previous estimation of PPR losses in Kenya was grossly undervalued. This study strengthens the basis for developing a system for the economic assessment of livestock diseases in areas with scanty data based on parameters derived from participatory epidemiology approaches for use in the mathematical model.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Economic losses associated with Peste des petits ruminants in Turkana County Kenya

et al. 2015

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“…Based on an analysis of a local conflict database, Schilling et al (2014) report an average raiding frequency of six raids per month in Turkana between 2006 and 2009. The raids not only cause human suffering directly, but they also impact negatively on household adaptation and coping strategies of herding units in the raided area (Bett et al 2009). …”

Section: The Turkana Pastoralistsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drought Adaptation and Coping Strategies Among the Turkana Pastoralists of Northern Kenya

Opiyo

Wasonga

Nyangito

et al. 2015

Int J Disaster Risk Sci

211

103

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This study highlights drought characteristics and the many responses to drought stresses employed by Turkana pastoralists of northwestern Kenya. Multiple data sources, including socioeconomic interviews with 302 households, focus group discussions, and informal interviews with pastoralists were used to capture various aspects of drought and drought adaptation and coping practices. Standardized precipitation index derived from long-term rainfall data obtained from the Kenya Meteorological Service was used to quantify different degrees of drought intensity between 1950 and 2012. Results revealed that extreme drought events were increasingly frequent, and have impacted negatively on pastoral livelihoods. In order to adapt to or cope with climatic anomalies, households are using a variety of strategies. In addition to the traditional short-term coping mechanisms, the long-term adaptation strategies used include diversification of livelihood sources; livestock mobility to track forage and water resources; diversification of herd composition to benefit from the varied drought and disease tolerance, as well as fecundity of diverse livestock species; and sending children to school for formal education as a long term investment expected to pay back through income from employment. Policies and development interventions that reduce risks, diminish livelihood constraints, and expand opportunities for increased household resilience to drought are critical complements to the existing pastoral strategies.

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“…Indirectly, raiding contributes to loss of livestock through the spread of diseases (Bett et al 2009;Oloya et al 2006). The direct effect of raiding can be both positive (for the raiding community) and negative (for the raided community).…”

Section: Effects On Livestock Numbersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…a Adakar' can be understood as 'cluster of often related families that pursue similar socio-economic activities including grazing management' (Bett et al 2009) …”

Section: Endnotesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Raiding pastoral livelihoods: motives and effects of violent conflict in north-western Kenya

Schilling¹,

Opiyo

Scheffran³

2012

Pastor Res Policy Pract

105

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Conflicts related to livestock raiding are not new phenomena in many pastoral societies in the Horn of Africa. Traditionally, various pastoral communities use raiding as a cultural practice for restocking of herds, especially after periods of drought or outbreaks of diseases. However, in recent years, livestock raiding has become more frequent, violent and destructive. This paper elucidates, first, the motives behind the current livestock raiding, and second, it analyses how conflict affects livelihoods of pastoral communities. Between 2008 and 2011, focus group discussions and interviews were carried out with 376 members of the Turkana and Pokot communities and key informants. The study findings suggest that hunger and drought impacting on availability and access of resources are critical raiding motives among the Turkana, while increasing wealth and payment of dowry are the most important motives for the Pokot community. Violent conflict poses a significant threat to pastoral livelihoods which are already under pressure from recurrent drought, diseases and political marginalisation. The direct impact of violent raiding is felt in terms of loss of human life and property, reduction in livestock numbers, limited access to water and pasture resources and forced migration. Indirectly, violent conflicts create a strong and omnipresent perception of insecurity which results in ineffective resource utilisation, reduced mobility, food insecurity and closure of markets and schools. These factors combined undermine adaptation strategies and pastoralism altogether. Hence, a framework of conflict mitigation is needed which addresses the specific raiding motives of each group.

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Using participatory epidemiological techniques to estimate the relative incidence and impact on livelihoods of livestock diseases amongst nomadic pastoralists in Turkana South District, Kenya

Cited by 67 publications

References 5 publications

Economic losses associated with Peste des petits ruminants in Turkana County Kenya

Economic losses associated with Peste des petits ruminants in Turkana County Kenya

Drought Adaptation and Coping Strategies Among the Turkana Pastoralists of Northern Kenya

Raiding pastoral livelihoods: motives and effects of violent conflict in north-western Kenya

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