ABSTRACT

The seeking of alternative livelihoods in agriculture, commerce and wage labour by former pastoralists has increased steadily with declines in the sustainability of pastoral livelihoods, which are jeopardized by stock loss brought about by drought, resource competition and conflict. While exogenous factors have ‘pushed’ former pastoralists into settling and seeking alternative livelihoods, many have also been ‘pulled’ by the benefits of sedentary life, including food security, physical safety, access to health care and formal education and new economic opportunities. Although not experiencing the civil wars of neighbouring Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda and Somalia, Kenya has seen its share of violence, mainly from banditry and inter-ethnic livestock raiding in areas not well policed. Grain for livestock exchange or herding labour is maintained by social ties and ritual life and serves to keep the pastoral and agricultural/town communities integrated. As with McPeak and Little’s study, Adano and Witsenberg found a strong correlation between household income, children’s education and livestock wealth.