Perceptions on Governance for Effective Adaptation to Climate Change within Community-Based Wildlife Conservancies in Kenya

Community-based wildlife conservancies (CBC) represent a broad spectrum of new management arrangements and benefit sharing partnerships in natural resource management by none state agents, but who, by virtue of their collective location and activities, are critically placed to shape the present and future status of these resources. This approach of wildlife management is increasingly gaining popularity as an option for achieving sustainable co-existence and complementarity between wildlife conservation and livestock production in the drylands of Kenya. Despite difference in ownership and governance structure in place, all conservancies have instituted new rules of control and access. This study sought to understand whether the governance system promoted inclusivity among the various social groups and secondly whether or not the model promotes enhancement of household resilience. Quantitative and Qualitative data based on household surveys, focus groups discussions and Key informants’ interviews were collected in two counties of Samburu and Isiolo and subjected to Q1Macros for descriptive analysis. The CBCs are governed by a board, supported by sub-committees. The board provide leadership and oversight and ensures transparency, adherence to the law, and equitable representation and sharing of revenue. Women representation in the boards recommended, and almost compulsory in Northern Rangeland Trust (NRT) supported conservancies. Broadly, household’s social amenities as health facilities, bursaries for school going children, and access to credits have improved under CBC. Movement of livestock between conservancies in search of pastures and water during drought is managed through grazing committees but is not effective during times of prolonged droughts. Traditional system based on the value of reciprocity, is eroding with the creation of new forms of resource management where others may be excluded. Simmering mistrust amongst neighbouring pastoral communities is not in common. Reciprocity for water and pastures within and between communities and within neighbouring Counties must be factored in CBC implementation plan

Analysis of Actors and Activities at Dagoretti Livestock Market in Nairobi City, Kenya

Pastoralism is the main economic activity in the massive drylands of Kenya, consisting over 70% of the countries’ livestock population. It employs 90% of communities living the arid and semi-arid parts of the country. Although few small-scale livestock markets exist in rural pastoral areas, most of the animals end up in the urban markets with peak demand of livestock-based commodities. Dagoretti livestock market, located in Nairobi City (the capital of Kenya) is the largest and terminal market for pastoralist communities countrywide as well as a source of income to various market actors and government revenue. Despite this immense contribution, there is limited scientific information on the market actors, opportunities and challenges encountered at the market, to guide planning, decisions and interventions for sustainable livestock trade in the city of Nairobi. This study was the aim of this study. Data was collected using semi-structured Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (KIIs). A total of 41 KIIs and 4 FGDs were conducted with various market actors. Results show that Dagoretti livestock market is dominated by pastoralists, suppliers of animals for trade; whereby cattle consisted 63.5% of total animals sold, sheep (28.7%) and goats (7.8%). Majority of the animals came from Southern and Northern rangelands of Kenya, 43.02% and 21.68% respectively, with only 9.33% from Uganda and Tanzania. The market attracted a myriad of income opportunities including traders in live animals, brokers, transporters, trekkers, loaders and off-loaders, herders of unsold animals, forage-sellers, veterinary officers, revenue officers, food vendors, cleaners, security guards, branders, butchers, and slaughtered animal value-chains. Main challenges included high taxation barriers, poor infrastructure, lack of incentives, and animal-congestion. There is need for regulatory frameworks supporting livestock trade and incentives to empower market actors, improve efficiency in market operations, and returns to the government and individual actors

Charcoal Value Chain as a Complimentary Livelihood Activity for Pastoralists in the Rangelands

Global charcoal production has more than tripled over the past 50 years from 17.3 million tons in 1964 to 53.1 million tons in 2014. 61% of the present global charcoal production occurs in Africa, mostly to satisfy demand for cooking fuel from urban and peri-urban households. Despite the adverse environmental impacts associated with charcoal production, a significant global population relies on it for energy needs, while many producers depend on it as a livelihood source. Whereas this calls for efforts to promote sustainable charcoal production practices, this has to be informed by in-depth understanding of the charcoal value chain to guide interventions aimed at making it a sustainable economic activity. This study used household interviews, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions to gather data on the practices, actors, prices, and quantities of charcoal traded at different nodes of the value chain in Pokot Central, Kenya. The results revealed over 13 categories of actors who were directly and indirectly involved in the charcoal production and trade. These included tree owners, producers, bulking agents, transporters, brokers, retailers, wholesalers, and law enforcers (police and Kenya Forest Service guards). The findings showed that the producers mainly used traditional kilns. Charcoal trade was mainly dominated by middle traders who determined prices along the value chain, and charcoal prices varied widely from US$4 per 100kg of charcoal at point of production to US$ 20 per 1 kg in urban centres. The higher prices at the urban centres were partly attributed to extra marketing costs associated with illegal fees paid to the law enforcers at road blocks during transportation. These findings point at the need to improve the production efficiency by use of improved kilns, and formalize charcoal trade to ensure standardization of prices and minimize exploitation of producers by brokers as well as corrupt law enforcers

Effects of Agroforestry Practices on Soil Properties in the Drylands of Eastern Kenya

Drylands, which are home to about 2 billion people face a myriad of problems among them low land productivity. Agroforestry is one of the land use practices that is perceived to be sustainable with beneficial effects on soil properties. However, the effects of agroforestry practices on soils especially in the drylands have rarely been quantified and studied in details. The study determined the effects of selected agroforestry practices on soil properties in Makueni County of Kenya where agroforestry has been promoted by various organizations. Four soil samples were collected at 0-15cm, 15-30cm, 30-45cm and 45-60cm depths in a zigzag pattern at each 10 x 10m plots established along line transects laid in woodlots established in 2007, 2010 and 2013 and their adjacent parkland and grazing land. Seven randomly selected farms were sampled. The samples were analyzed using laboratory methods for soil nutrients and physical properties. Density of tree species in these established plots were also determined using quadrat technique. Tree density was higher in woodlots followed by grazing area and parkland .Soil samples showed that Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen were significantly higher in the woodlots than in the parkland and grazing lands ((p≤0.05). Soil Organic Carbon was significantly higher in woodlots established in 2007 than those established in 2013. Phosphorus was significantly higher in cropland compared to woodlots and grazing land. Phosphorus and Potassium were significantly higher at 0-15 cm depth compared to other soil depths. Bulky density was significantly higher with a corresponding lower total porosity in grazing lands than in the woodlots and parklands. The results suggest that different agroforestry practices contribute differently to soil properties. Mixed tree woodlots contributed significantly to improving soil properties and could be considered as a strategy to sustainably restore degraded and infertile soils in the drylands

Mapping suitable habitats for globally endangered raptors in Kenya: Integrating climate factors and conservation planning.

Raptors face global threats like electrocution, collisions, and habitat fragmentation. Many species remain understudied, and their distribution patterns are unknown. Understanding their current and future distribution is crucial for conservation. Protecting these top predators requires knowledge of their spatial distribution and environmental influences. This study addresses knowledge gaps in raptor habitats and distributions in Kenya, considering current and future climate changes. Using species distribution models and occurrence data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, we evaluated suitable habitats for four endangered Kenyan raptor species: Martial eagle, Secretarybird, Bateleur, and Steppe Eagle. We assessed the impact of climatic predictors on their distribution, considering two climate change scenarios for 2020-2040. Our findings reveal that raptor distribution in Kenya is predominantly concentrated in the southwestern region, extending into the central region of the country. The most significant predictors of raptor species distribution varied for each species, with Steppe eagle and Secretarybird being highly influenced by precipitation during the warmest quarter, Martial eagle being influenced by mean temperature during the driest quarter, and Bateleur being primarily influenced by precipitation during the coldest quarter. When projecting our model into the climate change scenarios for 2020-2040, all species except the Bateleur exhibited a negative range shift. The results of our study suggest that climate change may have adverse impacts on the raptor species examined. In light of these findings, we recommend implementing targeted monitoring and conducting surveys in accordance with our current model predictions. Specifically, our focus should be on monitoring areas that exhibit the highest climate suitability, as these areas are likely to undergo significant shifts in the near future. By conducting regular monitoring and engaging in further research, we can enhance our understanding of these raptor species and gather valuable data to improve the accuracy and reliability of our model predictions

Gaps and opportunities in research on food systems; a micro-institutional analysis of the University of Nairobi

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.Research conducted on food systems by higher institutions can contribute to sustainable food security and nutrition at a local level and reduce the impact of societal challenges such as malnutrition. Unfortunately, malnutrition itself manifests as hidden hunger causing unintended consequences such as illness negatively affecting economic progress. Traditionally, research in agriculture has not taken a food systems approach which is looking at challenges of food systems from farm to fork (all stages from production to consumption). Therefore, as we embrace the compelling call to transition from agriculture to food systems research approaches, mapping studies at a local level are needed. However, studies on food systems have been carried out at a macro (global or regional level), a micro-perspective investigation is needed to inform future research. A systematic review on existing literature (journals and thesis) was conducted to identify gaps and opportunities in research on food systems undertaken by researchers at the University of Nairobi. Information collected included; 1. institutions (faculties and department at the university, national policy, and international institutions collaborating with university of Nairobi), 2. crop types (cereals, legumes, vegetables, roots and tubers, and nuts), 3. food systems activities (production, postharvest, processing, and preservation, value addition and branding, consuming foods, input and output markets, obtaining nutrients as well as logistics and distribution) driving research on food systems. The contribution of each of the components (institutions, food systems activity and crop type) was also investigated through citation scores. The findings show that low research outputs on food systems were generated by the university of Nairobi compared to selected universities in Africa and across the globe. Research was focused on carbohydrate rich crops (maize, sorghum, cassava, irish potato, sweet potato, and rice) as compared to protective bioactive vitamin crops (vegetables, mango, and beans). This demonstrated low crop diversity and dietary quality. Research priority was given mainly to maize compared to traditional crops such as sorghum, African Leafy Vegetables, cassava and millets. Faculties such as health, science and technology, engineering, and humanities were involved in research in food systems in addition to agriculture, a potential indication of transdisciplinary research. Additionally, there was more collaborative research between university of Nairobi with institutions at a global level than with local institutions. The involvement of policy institutions in research was low, mainly restricted to the discipline of agriculture, production food system activity and in a few crops such as maize, cassava, and medicinal plants. Disparities in research existed along the food systems activities as more attention was focused on production activities. Other food system activities such as harvesting, processing and preservation, consumption, value addition and branding, input and output markets, as well as logistics and distribution activities, received low research priority. Each component (food system activity, crop type and institution) demonstrated contribution to sustainable food security as shown by citation scores. The findings demonstrate skewed focus in food systems research at the university of Nairobi. Agricultural research investment within institutions of higher learning will need to consider all food systems activities, under-researched crops and collaborations that advance transdisciplinary studies to promote inclusive contribution of food systems to food security at a local level. Further studies can focus on developing frameworks to advance transdisciplinary research.https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systemsam2024Animal and Wildlife SciencesPlant Production and Soil ScienceSDG-02:Zero Hunge

Nexus between Climate Change and Food security in the East Africa Region: An Application of Autoregressive Modelling Approach

This study is an attempt to unpack the existing link between climate change variability and food security in the East Africa Community (EAC) region. Specifically, the paper elaborates the main issues in climate change discourse and its implication to the food security equation in the EAC region. A plethora of empirical literature exists in the area of climate change not only at the regional level but also globally. Using secondary time series panel data, the study links cereal production patterns with rainfall and temperature dynamics for from 1961 to 2012. The data was obtained from the Food and Agricultural organization (FAOSTAT) as well as the World Bank knowledge management center. Econometric data analysis was attained using Eviews version 7 and GMDH version 3.8.3 statistical software. The findings of the Autoregressive model indicates that rainfall and temperature are inevitably changing. These findings offer important policy insights on the role played by climate change variability on food security in the EAC region

Factors influencing migration and settlement of pastoralists in Nairobi City, Kenya

Abstract Pastoralism is globally recognized as the backbone of the economy in the vast arid and semi-arid rangelands. Despite its enormous economic contribution, the system is facing a myriad of challenges, among them, land use and land tenure changes, resulting in diminished grazing land. Accompanying such changes is the conversion of traditional grazing lands into other uses such as settlements, with urbanization being one of the key drivers of pastoral system dynamics. Understanding such dynamics in the face of compounding factors such as frequent droughts linked to climate change is key in guiding policy formulation and interventions aimed at achieving a sustainable pastoral production system. This study investigated factors determining migration and settlement of pastoralists in Nairobi City of Kenya. Data was collected through a snowball sampling approach using semi-structured household questionnaires, focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) in five Sub-counties of Nairobi City County. A total of 144 household interviews, 6 FGDs and 16 KIIs were conducted to elucidate drivers of urban pastoralism, opportunities and challenges encountered by pastoralists in the city. A binary logistic regression model was used to analyse the determinants of their migration. Results show that search for pasture and water resources, and alternative markets especially during droughts, are the main reasons for pastoralists’ migration to the city. In addition, educated herders were found to be more likely to migrate to the city as they pursue wage employment. Whereas these findings revealed that migration to the city exposes pastoralists to diverse livelihood opportunities, they are equally faced by a number of challenges - mainly road accidents involving livestock, frequent land displacements to pave way for development of real estates, and livestock poisoning from sewage and garbage wastes. There is a need for policy and regulatory interventions to recognize pastoralism alongside other forms of urban farming and addressing challenges facing sustainable pastoral production

Impacts of long-term land-use changes on herd size and mobility among pastoral households in Amboseli ecosystem, Kenya

Abstract Introduction Long-term changes in rangeland ecosystems of the world have impacted on the livestock production, a key livelihood strategy in these areas. This paper presents perceptions of the pastoral community on the dynamics of pastoral livelihoods under three land-use types namely nomadic, semi-nomadic, and sedentary in Amboseli ecosystem located in southern Kenya. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data concerning household livestock herds, perceived livestock trends and their causes, importance of migration, sedentarization, and land subdivision, and were administered to respondents randomly selected from the three land-use types. Results The study shows that the livestock herd size was higher in nomadic (117.1) and lower in sedentary (56.6) land-use site. The majority of the respondents in nomadic (79%), semi-nomadic (73%), and sedentary (64%) reported a declining trend in household herd size. The declines were mostly attributed to recurrent droughts and loss of grazing lands. Conclusions Pastoralism remains an important livelihood strategy to majority of households in the study area; therefore, to achieve sustainable livelihood strategies, grazing lands should be maintained

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

Abstract Fodder production has been regarded as one of the suitable strategies for increasing feed availability for enhanced livestock production among pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in the drylands of Kenya. Previous studies indicate that factors determining participation in these practices vary from time to time and from one location to another. This study was conducted to assess the socio-economic and demographic factors influencing households’ participation in fodder production in Makueni and Kajiado Counties. Data was collected from 216 households through interviews using semi-structured questionnaire. Results indicate that gender of household head, education, social/development group membership and access to extension services were the most important factors influencing households’ participation in fodder production. There is need for technical support to the pastoral and agro-pastoral households towards starting and/or joining existing social groups, through which extension and training services can be offered. This would go a long way in enhancing fodder production in the arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya