Assessment of vulnerability levels and coping strategies of pastoral communities to climate variability and change: A case study of the West Pokot, Kenya

摘要

The study was conducted to assess the vulnerability levels and coping strategies of the West Pokot communities with a view to recommending appropriate adaptation measures. Both case study and cross sectional research designs were used. Interview schedules, guides and livelihood indicators were the tools used in the assessment of vulnerability and adaptation to climate change and variability. The sample size of respondents was 106. Statistical evidence of climate change was computed from historical climatic data of West Pokot County. It included daily rainfall, number of rain days and maximum and minimum temperatures for 31 years. Majority (62%) of the household respondents were highly vulnerable to adverse effects of climate change and variability. Households headed by women showed highest (63%) vulnerability levels and the poorest coping strategies to the adverse effects of climate change and variability against 53% for men.