Livelihood Survey

ACC has concentrated its efforts working with pastoral communities helping them further understand and care for their resources. The rangelands within which pastoralist live are vulnerable to a host of natural and manmade forces that drive perceived changes. These changes may be ecological, economical and social, which will have an impact on the life of a pastoralist. For the people to adopt a coping mechanism the problem has to be first identified. This can only be precisely articulated by those affected. Livelihood surveys have been effective tools for identifying the issues that need to be addressed. In the second half of 2008, ACC facilitated livelihood surveys in Amboseli, Magadi and Masai Mara. The exercise was done by members from their own communities. The survey will not only highlight problems but will also show resources available within the community and the opportunities of utilizing them.

Drought Survey

The current drought may be as transformative for Kenya’s rangelands as the dust bowl for the American prairies in the 1930s. Although pastoralists have always lived in arid and semi-arid conditions and done so very effectively, the current combination of effects have resulted in devastating effects of the 2009 drought. Increasing population, less available land and space to move to, no rain, a struggling economy and decreasing options for survival, provide a powerful recipe for disaster in the rangelands. ACC and SORALO have initiated drought surveys in Magadi, Amboseli and Mukogodo (Laikipia). We have conducted a short interview while the drought is on and we plan to conduct a longer one after the drought. We aim to capture information pertaining to the issues of the current drought that will aid us and affected communities to reflect upon and guide the future of pastoralism and that of the semi arid areas. In collaboration with the Olkiramatian resource centre ACC and SORALO will be endeavour to set up a drought warning system and exploring mitigation measures.