Livelihoods under climate variability and change: An analysis of the adaptive capacity of rural poor to water scarcity in Kenya’s drylands

Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM)

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Abstract: This study was carried out by administering questionnaires to agropastoral households in Kibwezi district of Kenya. Most (98%) of the respondents mentioned increased dry conditions occasioned by recurrent droughts as the main unusual climatic events. In response to climate variability, the households had developed both short and long term adaptive mechanisms which included planting of drought tolerant and early maturing crops, early or dry planting, water harvesting through range pits and roof catchments and run-off harvesting.