LIVELIHOOD IMPROVEMENT STRATEGIES IN RESPONSE TO LAND SUB-DIVISIONS IN KAJIADO COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

In many societies, pastoral communities remain among the most politically and economically marginalized groups. The inhabitant for these community surrounding Nairobi has been subdivided and converted to settlement land by other communities and hence straining the grazing land for the cattle which has been their main economic activity for the community. The main objective of the study was to assess the livelihood improvement strategies among pastoral communities in response to land sub-divisions in Kajiado County. Specifically, the study focused on literacy improvement strategy, economic activities diversification and conflict resolution mechanisms as the key livelihood strategies which formed the independent variables. Marxism theory of conflict resolution was the underpinning theory. Cross-sectional descriptive design was adopted and the target population comprised of 26 regional pastoral livelihoods resilient projects implanted within Kajiado County. The unit of observation comprised of 51 project managers and projects team. The data was collected using questionnaire method and analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics mainly multiple regression models. Prior to data collection a pilot study was conducted and the data was used to determine the reliability of the research instruments using Cronbach Alpha. The study found that the three livelihood strategies considered in this study including literacy improvement strategy, economic activities diversification and conflict resolution mechanisms are the main ones used by community to respond to the challenges as a result of land sub-division in Kajiado County. The study concludes that with community increased in literacy levels and adoption of various economic activities as well as adopting various conflict resolution methods have enabled positive response through improving their economic status. The study recommends that the government should intensify and implements more strategies for livelihoods which enables community to adopt new norms and embrace modern methods which generally will improve their economic and social status.