PASTRES: Pastoralism under pressure in northern Kenya

In the blog “Pastoralism under pressure in northern Kenya” (November 2018), Ian Scoones reports on a scoping visit by the research team from PASTRES (Pastoralism, Uncertainty and Resilience) to Isiolo Country in northern Kenya, the home of Waso Boran pastoralists. The team explored climatic, market, institutional and policies uncertainties, including implications of the LAPSSET (Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport) corridor and of conservancies led by the Northern Rangeland Trust – both of which are expropriating land from pastoralists. The team also observed positive endogenous developments by women in milk marketing, especially of camel milk, with mobile phones and motorbikes being used to improve the business. Some Boran pastoralists are now keeping more camels and small ruminants in addition to the traditional cattle herds. Social differentiation among the pastoralists is increasing. Many poorer families are diversifying into supplementary sources of income. Despite these many changes, the basic principles of flexible, opportunistic pastoralism in a non-equilibrium environment remain.

Posted on 26 November 2018 in Pastoral Research & Innovation, Pastoralism & Marketing, Pastoralism & Natural Resources, Pastoralism, Gender & Youth, Pastoralist Livelihoods & Nutrition