PhD thesis Title Page Final _Richard Juma - Victoria University ...

Notes:
I) The food sources were arranged in terms of those relied on at all
times, early dry seasons, late dry seasons, and during severe drought
conditions.
ii) The Ngibelai and Ngisonyoka appeared to have relied heavily on their
social networks during the 2005-2006 drought and famine.
Secondly, Morulem is isolated and far removed from any major population
concentration centre such as towns or markets. In other words, it is
remote, with a poorly developed social and economic infrastructure. The
pastoralists, who live around Lokichar are, on the other hand, blessed in
having a more favourable environment. They live near Lokichar market
and are accessible to Lodwar town. 166 These are areas of diversified
economies as opposed to almost pure pastoral economy of the Morulem
ecosystem. Therefore, the Ngisonyoka were more exposed to the modern
sector of the economy than the Ngibelai, and were better placed to pursue
many ends to top up their domestic food reserves. For instance, one
respondent at Lokichar village narrated how his family survived, and from
a content analysis of his story, one may see a people responding to a much
more socially and economically dynamic environment. One key informant
from Lokichar village, an old man aged 68 years, captured the views of
many respondents interviewed at Lokichar village. The key informant
stated as follows:
I engaged in small scale business at Lokichar market. I
survived on (posho) maize meal bought from oria
(Somali) traders in exchange for skins. My wife also
bought grain using skins and some of her ornaments.
At the end of 2006, Catholic priests at Lokichar parish
were giving rice and cooking fat to those ready to do
manual labour at their church. I then took up the job
at the Catholic Church. I had five children and they all
166 As already mentioned in previous chapters, Lodwar town is the Turkana District.
Headquarters.
239