The impact of water conflicts on pastoral livelihoods

The main question that the research set out to answer is “what livelihood opportunities are lost to people when they spend their time and resources managing water- related conflicts?” To answer the research question, the study aimed to understand the socio-economic characteristics of the study area; governance of water resources; water-related conflicts and their management; and to analyze relatio [...] Reduction in the number of livestock through raids (66 per cent); loss of life and property; lack of water; degeneration of social relationships; forced migration of families and livestock; negative psychological and social impact of death; closure of the borehole; and intensified insecurity leading to reduced outdoor activities; among others—these are serious implications to a people already expe [...] The objective is to contribute to the understanding of the root causes of conflicts in arid and semi-arid lands, attempts made by local people, the government and other development agencies to manage the conflicts; resources required to sustain a conflict at the expense of other immediate needs within households; and the impact of conflicts on the people’s assets and capabilities to sustain pastor [...] The district was purposely selected because it is the largest district in the arid and semi-arid lands, and is one of the most sparsely populated and least developed areas of Kenya. [...] The size and area covered by the district and the population of the district necessitated the use of sampling in the research process.