In Kenya, it has often been easier for the central government to decentralize powers to the county governments than to ensure that the county governments have needed resources, capabilities and accountability necessary for river basin management. Drylands of Suam River basin in West Pokot County is highly vulnerable to climate variability and change risks such as droughts and floods, leading to high levels of poverty, land degradation and human conflicts that results from completion over scarce water and pasture with the neighboring Turkana and Karamoja communities in Kenya and Uganda. Livelihood transition as an adaptation strategy from pure nomadic to agro-pastoralism has also increase pressure on marginal lands and human conflict between the pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities. The understanding of climatic and land use-cover change patterns, responsive changes in the social structures together with governance will lead to proper planning of pastoralist and agro-pastoralist activities, and land use management. The study will provide strong evidence from field experiences leading to capacity building and implementation of an oriented research to influence policy dialogue, decision making and investment priorities in the basin.
Team Members
Namenya Daniel Naburi (Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya)
John Obiri (Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya)
Edward Mugalavai (Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya)
Chengxiu Li (University of Southampton, UK)
Daniela Anghileri (University of Southampton, UK)
Sospeter Wekesa (Technical University of Kenya)
Oscar Kambombe (University of Malawi)