Assessing the Impacts of Climate Variability on Livelihood Assets in Marigat and Mogotio Sub-County, Baringo County, Kenya

Abstract

This study assessed the various effects of variability in climatic conditions to the means of livelihood and assessed the impacts of climatic conditions like temperature and rainfall on the livelihood assets of the indigenes of Baringo County, which include: livestock, health, agricultural and tree crops, water bodies. A multi-stage sampling technique was applied, using both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. Primary data was collected using a well-structured questionnaire while secondary data was obtained from the Meteorological Department Nairobi, Kenya. Data obtained were analysed using frequency distribution, trend analysis, percentage and means, as well as multiple regression analysis. A total of 338 respondents were sampled. Variability in rainfall and temperature significantly affected the livelihood assets of the rural populace. It was observed that 78.7% of the respondents in are informed of climate change, mostly through the media (34.62%). Climate variability to a high extent results in drought (X=3.78), crop pests and diseases (X=3.65), livestock pests and diseases (X=3.70) and cases of human diseases (X=4.01). 94.38% of the rural populace in Baringo County experience food insecurity due to climate variability. Climate variability in temperature and rainfall affected general economic activities of the counties at every level of statistical significance even as high variability in climate conditions affected the rural population in Kenya majorly in the areas of drought 60%, the quantity of meal 31.7% and income 29.6 %. This study, therefore, concluded that climate variables will affect the ecosystems and most likely will alter the economic and physical factors including income, general health and well-being of the rural populace in Baringo County, Kenya.