Institute for Development Studies, University of Nairobi

This paper examines socio-economic constraints to the development of a group ranch in Narok District, Rotian Olmakongo, which has been in existence for more than ten years but its progress relative to other Maasai ranches has been poor. The study considers questions regarding the members' perceptions of the costs and benefits of ranch development, access to the ranch resources, and individual and group strategies for development. The paper concludes that among the principal constraints is the inability of traditional social units to generate an organizational form which would promote the development of the group ranch. The pastoral economy is in a precarious position and is being subsided by members participation other economic activities such as charcoal burning, cultivation and off-ranch employment. Unless the organisation of the ranch can be improved such that the livestock - based economy becomes more productive the only future for the ranch is likely to be in terms of small-scale agricultural holdings.