Efficacy of Community Based Adaptation (CBA): a Case of Kalro Projects in Makindu Subcounty, Makueni County, Kenya

Abstract

Various climate change response approaches, such as Community Based Adaptation (CBA), have been proposed and piloted globally. There is a dearth of information on the effectiveness of such approaches to enhance communities’ adaptive capacity to climate change. This study examined the effectiveness of Community Based Adaptation (CBA) Projects in Kenya by analyzing the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) CBA Projects in Makindu Sub-county, Makueni County. Specifically, it analyzed how communities perceive impacts on their adaptive capacity; ii) assessed the factors that hinder the success of CBA projects in improving the livelihoods of communities, and (iii) examined gaps in policies that promote CBA Projects at county level. This was a cross-sectional study that utilized mixed methods of research in data collection. A total of 102 households were randomly selected from Kiboko, Ngaaka, Nguumo, Mulili, Kisingo and Kaasuvi villages. The study found that the community perceived CBA projects undertaken by KALRO both positively and negatively. Positive perceptions were due to the improved market for agricultural produce; improved standards of living, improved agricultural yield and adaptation to the impacts of climate change. Negative perceptions were due to poor understanding of cultural practices, lack of financial support and capacity building from national government and county government. Secondly, the research established that capacity gaps at institutional and individual levels hindered effective implementation of CBA projects at community, KALRO and county levels. Lastly, the research identified gaps in policy to facilitate the implementation of CBA at the county level. From the findings, it was concluded that there is great potential for the CBA approach to enhance community climate change resilience. However, the lack of climate change legal and policy frameworks to implement CBA projects; skills gaps and the lack of ownership of the projects by the residents continue to influence performance of CBA projects in Makindu Sub-county. The research thus recommends the county should, domesticate the national level climate change policy and then develop relevant policy frameworks based on local climate change impacts. Lastly, CBA projects should be run by the community and supported by the county government and the national government through institutions like KALRO. This will ensure that all actors contribute and reap the optimal benefits from such projects for enhanced climate resilience. Key words: Community Based Adaptation, Makindu, KALRO