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

Abstract
Drought and famine in Sub-Saharan Africa are among the leading
contributory causes of vulnerability in pastoral communities. Therefore,
understanding pastoral vulnerability to drought and famine, and their
indigenous adaptive strategies, is critical for mitigation planning.
This study draws on the experience of Turkana pastoralists living in the
Turkana District in the arid zone of north-western Kenya, an area with a
long history of food insecurity. The study looks at the problem of drought
and famine from a historical perspective in order to bring into context
contemporary adaptive strategies. Special attention is focused on
understanding the inherent potential of the Turkana people to change
their own livelihoods within their respective social and economic milieu in
response to drought and famine, with a view to understanding the
implications of these indigenous responses to adapt to drought in this
region in the future. Specifically, the study analyses the types of social
networks which were activated during the 2005-2006 drought and famine
which hence, over time have shaped the adaptation of the Turkana
people’s livelihood strategies. The sustainable livelihood approach was
deemed appropriate to the focus of this research in that it provided the
framework for an indepth exploration of how Turkana people survive
during crises.
The fieldwork was carried out for six months between February and July
2007. A sample of 80 household heads and eight key informants were
randomly selected. Documentary review, observation and informal
interviews, key informant interviews, a household survey, and case
histories and mapping were used to obtain data. Data were analysed both
qualitatively and quantitatively. The major findings were: firstly, that
Turkana people apply a perceptual filter to their crises before finding a
relevant livelihood strategy; secondly, that the Turkana possess a
iii