Perceptions, Impacts, and Adaptation to Climate Change among Gabbra Pastoralists in Marsabit County, Kenya

Abstract

Climate change has currently become a new global reality, with deleterious outcomes as it disrupts seasonal weather cycles thus impacting on ecosystems; and agriculture, water needs and supply, and food production are all adversely affected. Climate impacts are particularly of great concern in arid and semi-arid areas which are mostly inhabited by pastoralists. In sub-Saharan Africa, the livelihoods of pastoral communities depend largely on the use of natural resources, especially pastures that support their livestock. As such they are frontline victims of the force of climate change impacts.  This study examines how Gabbra pastoralists in Marsabit County, which is located in the northern rangelands of Kenya, perceive climate change, the impacts experienced, and adaptation strategies adopted by the Gabbra community. The objectives were to:  assess Gabbra pastoralists' perception of climate change in their region; identify the associated impacts; and establish adaptation strategies undertaken by Gabbra people for coping with climate change-related impacts. The study employed a descriptive survey design in which both literature and field data were collected using questionnaires, focus group discussions, and observations; and an analysis was carried out for both qualitative and quantitative data. The study found out that Gabrra pastoralists perceived climate change through decreasing rainfall intensity, great variability in rainfall amount, the unpredictability of rainfall season, longer periods of drought deterioration, deterioration of pastures and water sources, unpredictable very cold spells especially at night, hotter day temperatures in the plains, drying up of a formerly all-season wetland, low-level accuracy in predicting onset of rain season using indigenous knowledge indicators. Perceptions extended to include disruptions of their normal socio-economic activities and lifestyles. Resultant impacts were largely occasioned by climatic parameters of rainfall and temperature variations and are key determinants of either droughts or floods among other impact factors. Findings showed that Gabbra pastoralists had ways of adapting to climate change impacts especially focused on livestock, crops, and soil management.  Adapting to climate change was found to be a major challenge largely due to the unpredictable nature of the occurrence of the various elements of climate change and severity level. The influence of climate change on perceptions, impacts as well as on adaptations all seemed related to prevailing socio-economic factors including demography, as well as community services available. To encourage improved climate change adaptation techniques, in Marsabit County, there is a need for government and aid agencies to facilitate Gabbra pastoralists to obtain finance and extension services. To ensure there is enough pasture for livestock there is a need to facilitate range reseeding coupled with awareness creation programs on sustainable management of rangelands that incorporate Indigenous knowledge.