HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTION AND RISK
MANAGEMENT AMONG PASTORAL COMMUNITIES IN SAMBURU DISTRICT, KENYA
Moses
O. Esilaba
Abstract:
Rangeland resources play a significant role in production activities and
sustainability of livelihood among the pastoral communities. Factors that have
adversely affected efficient utilization and have an ultimate impact on risk
management include: conflicts, poor public service delivery, uneven resource
utilization and limited asset diversification. This paper examines these factors
in detail, and assesses their influence on household production. The objective
of the study was to investigate the influence of household production on the
ability of the pastoralists to manage risks. The findings and recommendations
will be helpful to put in place strategies that will increase household
production, minimize conflicts among the various resource users, promote
sustainable use of natural resources, and serve as a step towards eradication of
poverty. The study was carried out in Kirisia, Lorroki and Baragoi divisions of
Samburu district. A survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire (248
households), together with personal interviews with key informants (30), and
group discussions (7). Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and tests
of relationships by use of correlation and regression analysis, using
Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The results indicated that
there was no significant relationship between household production and public
service delivery, resource utilization, asset diversification and risk
management. Household income and asset diversification was low (less than
Kshs.20, 000 per year and 20% of investment levels), high illiteracy rate (80%),
and thus increase in poverty. The pastoralists, therefore, had limited capacity
to manage both environmental and human risks, hence their vulnerability to
climatic stress. It is recommended that pastoral communities should diversify
their production activities to reduce dependence on livestock, to alleviate
poverty and enhance risk management.