Pastoralists' Adaptation and Mitigation to the Effects of Drought in Kajiado County

Dry season and starvation are significant challenges in arid and semi-arid regions of the Horn of Africa. This study examines adaptation and mitigation strategies employed by pastoralists in Kajiado County to address drought impacts. Using descriptive survey methodology targeting 384 pastoral households, the research identifies social networks, technological innovations, and livestock management practices that enhance pastoral resilience. The findings reveal multiple coping mechanisms including community-based resource management, diversified livelihood strategies, and collaborative water and rangeland management systems. Results emphasize the importance of integrating indigenous pastoral knowledge with government extension services and NGO interventions to develop sustainable drought management frameworks. The research contributes to understanding how pastoralist communities navigate environmental uncertainty through socially embedded adaptation strategies.