Integrity of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Natural Resource Management: The Case of the Arid and Semi-Arid Baringo Herders of Kenya

Ineffective management of natural resources in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), resulting in resource depletion, rapid loss of biodiversity and environmental degradation, is of great concern globally. The Baringo herders in the ASALs of Kenya have been branded as perpetrators of this vice, with the blame placed particularly on their traditional livestock management, utilising indigenous knowledge systems (IKS). These IKS involve livestock mobility and maximisation, and have been regarded as being outdated and inefficient in meeting the challenges and demands for environmental conservation and sustainable management of the natural resources. A common reaction of the government has been to advocate modern interventions that are based on exogenous knowledge systems (EKS), involving sedentary livestock raising and destocking. These EKS are, however, not performing as well as expected, since they are not adapted to the ASALs ecological conditions and the herders\u27 socio-economic and cultural situations (Aboud et al 1997; Makenzi, 2003). This study empirically explored the above propositions, in order to test the integrity of the IKS, in relation to EKS and the herders\u27 levels of education

Of Grasslands and Guns: Natural-Resource Based Conflict Among the Waso Borana Pastoralists of Northern Kenya

The once productive, arid rangelands of northern Kenya, traditionally dominated by a mix of woody species (Acacia, Commiphora, Cordia spp.) and graminoids (Tetrapogon, Aristida, Chrysopogon and Sporobolus spp.) have gradually deteriorated in ecological condition over recent decades (Herlocker, 1999). A major factor considered to be responsible for this trend is the disintegration of traditional systems of land stewardship. Traditional authority has waned in northern Kenya and has often been replaced by open-access tenure, overseen by ineffectual government administrators. Couple this with frequent droughts that typify this zone, as well as expanding populations of people and livestock, and the net result is increased competition for diminishing quantity and quality of grazing and water resources. Local people throughout northern Kenya have reportedly entered a survival mode of existence where the incidence of armed conflict has increased because resource-based disputes have intensified (Smith et al., 2000). The objective of this research was to investigate and quantify the views of the Waso Boran people, one of many ethnic groups in the northern Kenyan rangelands, concerning the causes, and possible solutions, for their conflicts that revolve around natural resources

Community Perceptions of Vulnerable Key Ecological Resources in Baringo, Kenya

Key resources in arid lands are often relatively small patches of seasonal grazing or water access that critically support entire livestock production systems (Scoones, 1993). When these are lost, production systems may be destroyed. An early-warning system is needed whereby key resources at risk can be identified and protected. The Baringo District of north-central Kenya has endured decades of resource abuse and high rates of population growth-breakdowns of traditional systems have occurred and food relief is common (Little, 1992). Despite this situation, most production system research in the past has been conducted at local scales of resolution. The advent of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, however, allows investigations to scale-up. Precise mapping of resource problems is now possible, and such maps can provide useful communication tools to better address issues. We have undertaken a hierarchical approach that focuses on the district, divisions, localities and communities. At the largest spatial scales we rely on social science methods to assess perceived key resources at risk according to community leaders, while at smaller scales we use ecological methods to verify and quantify resource vulnerability. Here we report on the first phase of research involving surveys of community leaders

Agro-Pastoralists’ Wrath for the Prosopis Tree: The Case of the Il Chamus of Baringo District, Kenya

Indigenous to Peru, Chile, and Argentina, the woody plant called Prosopis juliflora (also known by the American common name of “Honey Mesquite”) has spread world-wide in recent decades, including rangelands throughout Latin America, North America, south and central Asia, Australia, and sub-Saharan Africa. A species known for rapid establishment, high adaptability, and fast rates of growth, its dispersal has primarily been a consequence of intentional introduction by well- meaning “technical experts” who wanted to provide a new source of fodder, fuel wood, or a means to combat desertification in arid and semi-arid lands. One problem, however, is that unless Prosopis receives careful management, it can invade and degrade ecosystems. Here we report on interviews conducted among rural residents of central Kenya where Prosopis was first introduced over 20 years ago. The respondents contend that Prosopis has greatly undermined their livelihoods, and they want to see it eradicated

Community Perceptions Concerning Key Ecological Resources at Risk in Baringo District, Kenya

Key ecological resources in arid and semi-arid lands are often characterized by small patches of seasonal grazing and important water points that lend critical support to entire production systems. When key resources are degraded or lost, production systems can be badly compromised. The Baringo District of north-central Kenya is well known for enduring decades of environmental degradation and food relief. As an initial part of an effort to map and characterize key ecological resources at risk in Baringo, we interviewed 136 resident leaders from pastoral and agro-pastoral areas. We asked them to identify and rank their most vulnerable ecological resources, clarify why these resources have become compromised, and propose ideas for resource rehabilitation. Overall, pastoralists and agro-pastoralists ranked vulnerable resources differently. Climate and human factors were mentioned as being responsible for resource-related problems. When solutions to problems were discussed, respondents noted that government must play the critical role in resource rehabilitation. In contrast, they rarely proposed solutions based on their own initiative, and we interpreted this to suggest that the population in general has become overly dependent on outside forces to affect change. Resource rehabilitation efforts would require strong partnerships between government and resource users to be sustainable. How to forge and sustain such partnerships should be a focus of future research and development efforts

Factors Influencing Adoption of Management and Control Technologies for Prosopis juliflora in Marigat, Baringo County, Kenya

Prosopis juliflora is an invasive woody plant that was introduced to Marigat Sub County of Baringo County in 1970s and over the years its spread has altered the livelihoods of the pastoral communities who are the majority in most of the affected areas. This is because  Prosopis juliflora invasion has reduced available dry season grazing fields, chocked river banks and interfered with access roads.  To control its spread several management and control technologies were promoted in Marigat Sub-County in early 2004 that included clearing and planting pasture, charcoal production and killing of cut stumps with chemicals among others. However, the interventions have not yielded the desired results for the species has continued to spread into newer areas and intensifying their presence in already invaded areas. A study was initiated in 2017 to determine the factors influenced the local households to adopt the promoted management and control technologies in Marigat Sub-county one of the areas of original introduction and most affected by the infestations. The study was done through socio-ecological survey using questionnaires and checklist administered to 337 households. The factors considered were Socio-economic (education, land size income) and demographic (gender, age, household size). Data collected was then processed and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics of SPSS. The inferential tools used were chi-square analysis, regression and correlation analysis and Pearson Moment Correlation analysis. The results showed land size, incomes from Prosopis products, age and household size significantly influenced adoption of management and control technologies for Prosopis in the study area. The adoption rates association direction depended mostly on labour availability and incomes to hire extra labour for undertake the arduous job of Prosopis clearing and control of reinvasions. Level of education of the respondents had no significant effect on the adoption rates of the various control measures. Keywords: Adoption, Prosopis juliflora, Management, Invasion and Househol

Agro-Pastoralists Concerns Over the \u3cem\u3eProsopis\u3c/em\u3e Tree: The Case of the Ilchamus of Baringo District, Kenya

The Prosopis tree was introduced to the arid and semi-arid lands of eastern Africa in the 1970s, through governmental forest development agencies to curb environmental degradation and provide fodder for small stock. A number of other benefits were also then attributed to the tree. However, the Prosopis tree has turned out to be a cause of serious concerns, as it has invaded, dominated and almost totally removed all grass and short vegetation species from pasturelands. In Baringo District of Kenya, Prosopis has been the worst enemy of the local IlChamus agro-pastoralists (Lenachuru, 2003), who have now raised much concern over the species, calling for its complete eradication, and threatening to sue the government for damages caused by the tree. This paper examines the case against Prosopis species, based on the agro-pastoralists\u27 perspectives, and the numerous benefits of the tree that the agro-pastoralists apparently unaware of, or simply refuse to attach value to

Collective Action Among Agro-pastoralists in Baringo District, Kenya: Identifying and Nurturing the Entrepreneurs

The rural population of Baringo District in the Rift Valley of north-central Kenya faces numerous challenges including widespread environmental degradation and poverty. The region has endured decades of failed development projects, proliferation of food aid, and has been studied extensively. We have recently undertaken a different approach focused on bottom-up participatory action research and outreach among the Il Chamus and Tugen ethnic communities. The objective is to explore new ways to empower local people via provision of information, novel experiences, and initial access to resources to allow them to envision an alternative future and implement their own activities to better-manage risks. Here we report on the first phase of this activity. Twelve potential entrepreneurs (six from each of the two ethnic groups) were carefully selected and sent on an extensive training and educational tour to Mwingi District in eastern Kenya. There they visited a variety of successful, community-led development projects. The tour helped convince the entrepreneurs of neglected opportunities in Baringo. They have since taken a lead in assisting their communities to form collective-action groups. The groups are now registered with the Kenya government and pursuing work plans aimed at improving their circumstances