THE EFFECT OF ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOOD STRATEGIES ON SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC OUTCOMES OF PASTORAL COMMUNITIES OF SAKU SUB-COUNTY IN MARSABIT COUNTY
Komote Adung´O Stephen - Master of Science Student (Development Studies), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
Dr. Florence Ondieki Mwaura - Lecturer, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
ABSTRACT
The general objective of this study was to explore the effect of alternative livelihood strategies on social and economic outcomes of pastoral communities of Saku Sub-county in Marsabit County. The specific objectives were: To measure the extent of adoption of alternative livelihoods in Saku Sub-county; To determine the effect of alternative livelihoods on economic outcomes on pastoral nomadic households of Saku Sub-county: To establish the effect of alternative livelihood on social outcomes of pastoral nomadic households of Saku Sub-county in Marsabit County. Descriptive research method was applied. The target population was communities living in Saku Sub-county in Marsabit County. Stratified random sampling was used to select the sample size. The sample size was 384 respondents; of this 30 percent is the control group. Secondary data was obtained from development organization and non-governmental experts. Questionnaires were utilized to collect data and guides for interviews and involving NGOs. A pilot test carried out to ascertain the reliability and validity of the instruments used. The quantitative data collected was edited and coded into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS- version 21) for analysis. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Frequency, mean, standard deviation and percentages were used in descriptive statistics. These analyzed data was then presented in tables and figures. Qualitative data was coded thematically and evaluated statistically thereafter. Chi square is used to determine the relationship between the dependent variable and the independent variables. On the other hand, binary logistic regression is used to describe data and to explain the relationship between one dependent binary variable and the factors that affect it. The study established that adoption of Alternative Livelihood Strategies plays a very essential role for economic empowerment of pastoralist nomadic communities. The adoption of Alternative Livelihood Strategies, households are able to experience major changes in both social and economic outcomes. The study concludes that factors like education or schooling, distance to urban centers, access to income as well as access to information have influence towards the adoption of alternative livelihood strategies. The study recommends that continuous learning and empowerment programs for pastoral nomadic communities should be undertaken to increase their chances of adoption of ALS. Learning centers should be established and encourage people. People should be encouraged to form and join small groups, cooperative societies and associations with the common aim of adoption of Alternative Livelihood Strategies and general improvements of livelihoods.
