Natural resource based conflicts and pastoral livelihoods:a focus on the impact of water resource based conflicts on pastoralism in Dadajabulla Location of Wajir District, Kenya

Abstract

The study describes and analyzes relationships between natural resource based conflicts and pastoral livelihoods. The study is based on the obvious assumption that water is an important natural resource in the maintenance of pastoral livelihoods. A further assumption is that conflicts are bound to occur as a result of sharing the limited water resources by many users. The general research question guiding the study therefore is: "what is the effect of water-based conflicts on pastoral livelihoods? More specifically, what livelihood opportunities are lost to people when they spend their time and resources managing water related conflicts?" Thefield study was carried out at Dadajabulla location of Wajir district, in Kenya. This was during the months of June and July 2002. Data for the study was obtained from primary and secondary sources, and through observation. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews to a sample of 100 household heads. The sample was obtained through the use of a multistagesampling design to get the final sample size of 100household heads. The study findings confirm the assumption that water is a critical resource that determines success of pastoralism as a way of life in arid and semi arid lands. Availability of water determines where people and livestock settle in during the different months of any given year. During the dry season, all the temporary water sources dry up so that people rely solely on the Dadajabulla borehole. Overconcentration of pastoralists in a few areas leads to competition for the limited water, resulting in conflicts. The conflicts in turn consume time and resources needed to support pastoralism, which is a source of food security, cash money to pay for school fees and healthcare, livestock to maintain social-cultural functions, among other needs. The conclusion from the research is that conflicts over water resources have a negative impact on pastoral livelihoods