Changes in Livelihood Aspirations among Formally Educated Pastoral Youth in Northern Kenya

Authors

  • Roy Van Anda
  • Brett L. Bruyere
  • Jonathan Salerno
  • Alfonso Lengima
  • Vivian Alinta
  • Apin Yasin

Keywords:

pastoralism, Kenya, Samburu, livelihood diversification, formal education

Abstract

Impacts on rangeland health as a result of climate change, land fragmentation, and modernization continues to threaten pastoral livelihoods and ecosystem processes around the world. In response, more and more pastoral youth are enrolled in formal education, with hopes of diversifying their future incomes with non-pastoral employment. As youth spend more time in the classroom and less time herding, perceptions and values of traditional pastoral livelihoods may be changing, which may directly affect local grazing pressures and local rangeland health. Using a game-like scenario methodology, this study measured perceptions and values of traditional pastoral livelihoods and non-traditional contemporary income-earning opportunities among formally educated youth of Samburu, Kenya. Results found all student groups generally aspired to destock their herds and diversify their incomes. Male students showed some tendency to restock following favorable conditions, and students with more years of formal education tended to destock the most. Implications of the findings on the future of pastoralism is discussed, including potential effects on livestock holdings, and the possibility that formal education can lead to changes in rangeland condition.

Published

2022-02-23