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The nature of livelihood insecurity among agropastoral households in South Kerio Basin, Elgeyo Marakwet County


Abstract

This study assessed the nature of livelihood insecurity in the South Kerio Basin, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya, a semi-arid region. The study, a cross-sectional survey design with a mixed methods approach, was guided by the theory of livelihood insecurity. The unit of analysis included households in three locations: Keu, Kibargoi, and Arror. From a population of 8,199 registered households in the three locations, a sample of 383 households was determined using Yamane (1967) formula and distributed proportionately. An interview guide was used to collect quantitative data, while qualitative data was collected using key informant interviews and a focused group discussion guide. Every kind of ethical consideration was taken into consideration. The statistical package SPSS V22 was used to generate quantitative descriptive and inferential statistics, and the Excel spreadsheet was used to analyze the qualitative data. The study established that households experienced varied livelihood insecurities in terms of environmental variability, deficiencies in livestock production, land use and productivity and income and household endowments. These drove households to adapt to new livelihood strategies, including diversification into horticultural production. The study concluded that despite livelihood insecurities, horticultural production offered households new livelihood pathways to meet their needs. The study recommends partnerships and integration between the National and County governments and the local community to address livelihood insecurities and develop policies for strengthening households' local capacity and coping mechanisms. 


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eISSN: 2958-1141