Role of Socio-Demographic and Livelihood Strategy Diversification on Pastoralists’ Household Stability in Mandera County, Kenya

Abstract

Purpose: The study sought to determine the role of socio-demographic and livelihood strategy diversification on pastoralists' household stability in Mandera county, Kenya Methodology: A community based cross-sectional analytical study design was used with a sample size of 154 households. Simple random sampling was used to select households. The study was guided by framework of DFID (1999) and is set to understand how people operate within vulnerability context from different actors and how they will use their asset base with aim of reducing challenges, and enhances survival strategies to attain basic needs (de stage et al., 2002). Quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. Content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data based on thematic areas. Chi-Square statistical test was used to establish the association between categorical variables. Descriptive statistics was done using frequencies. Presentation of data was done through bar charts, pie charts and frequency tables. Results: Results indicate that there was a significant relationship between socio-demographic characteristics (p<0.05), household assets diversification strategies (p = 0.001), challenges influencing choice of livelihood diversification strategies (p = 0.031), adoption of diversification strategies by pastoralists (p =0.008) and household stability among pastoralists in Mandera West Sub-County. The unique contribution to the theory, practice and policy: The National Drought management Authority should put in place measures on mitigation strategies to be intensified in the study area through sensitization to reduce threats to livelihoods in the study area. This could be done through provision of water especially the use of the underground water that can serve as an alternative to limited overland flow in the area.