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Kenya

Africa

With a population of around 52.5 million people, around 90% of Kenya’s land area is arid or semi-arid. Almost 6 out of 10 of working Kenyans depend on agriculture for a living. As in other Arid and Semi-arid Lands (ASALs), mixes of pastoralism and agriculture dominate rural areas. Similarly to other countries in the region, Kenya is a major exporter of livestock to the Gulf. Around 11 per cent of Kenyans are between the ages of 17 and 19.

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Camel herder and camels under a wide blue sky
Policy brief

Advances in forecasting, observation networks and collaboration mean better weather forecasts, so why do pastoralists show little demand for them, and how can we better reach them?
A man crouches down as he measures a plot of farmland Policy brief

Many of East Africa's drylands have suffered from top-down neglect or modernisation, both of which have failed to integrate local knowledge and voices. Can participatory planning help, and how?
Cattle in Lodwar, Kenya - Image by Rob Hope/ REACH - CC BY 2.0 Journal article

This paper studies the causal link between forage condition and food security in northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia, and explores the mechanisms through which the effects occur.
Mobile phone user in Ethiopia - image by S. Sheridan / Mercy Corps Policy brief

This policy brief explores the challenges pastoralists face when using climate information services (CIS). It outlines key considerations for scaling up effective CIS in drylands.
A community focus group being held with pastoralists from the Waldaa community - Image by Ken Otieno Technical report

This report aims to deepen understanding of land tenure in pastoral lands under collective ownership, taking a case from northern Marsabit, Kenya.

Latest news and features

Focus group discussions with pastoralist women, with female facilitator and male notetaker. Ade Galchat kebele, El Waya, Oromoia, Ethiopia - Image by Teshome Gemechu, DAB-DRT Blog

Why do pastoralist women and men interact differently with animal health services? How can we use this knowledge to improve the design, delivery and use of veterinary solutions in drylands?
Samburu pastoralist women after a Focus Group Discussion, with a camel feeding on salts in the background, Loltulelei village, Samburu County, Kenya - Image by Jennifer Lekasuyanj / EAMDA Blog

Using the experiences of pastoral communities in the drylands of Ethiopia and Kenya, we provide evidence-based recommendations to improve women pastoralists’ access to animal health services.
Camels drinking from a trough. Credit: Jackson Wachira / Center for Research and Development in Drylands Blog

New SPARC research in Ethiopia and Kenya should change perceptions about how water development is affecting pastoralist communities.

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