THE EFFECTS OF WATER SCARCITY ON THE LIVELIHOODS OF NOMADIC PASTORALISTS: A CASE STUDY OF KATHILE SUE-COUNTY, KAABONG DISTRICT

BSTRACT

The study aimed at establishing the effects of watet scarcity on the livelihoods of the nomadic

pastoralists. The study was guided by three objectives that is to say to determine the factors

contributing to water scarcity, to identify the challenges nomads face due to water scarcity and to

examine the adaptation strategies the nomadic pastoralists have adopted to counter water

scarcity. The study was conducted in Kathile Sub County in Kaabong district where the country

has got most cases of water scarcity on nomadic pastoralist. The study covered a period of three

months to effectively cover all the objectives..

The study employed a descriptive survey design where both qualitative and quantitative designs

of data collection were used. The study used self administered questionnaires and interviews to

collected primary data from the field. The study used a sample of 80 respondents selected from

100 nomads who were the main respondents in for this particular study.

The finds showed that Kathile sub county is highly affected by water scarcity that affects all their

operations and livelihood of the nomadic pastoralists since pastoralist is the main activity carried

out in the area. The study found out that there are a number factors causing water scarcity in the

area these included climate changes, deforestation, poor water management which is rampant in

the area. Water scarcity poses a lot of challenges in the area such as affecting the health of

people, affecting agriculture and mainly nothadic pastrolism. The study however established a

number of adoptive strategies used to overcome the water scarcity problem in Kathile Sub

County. The strategic measures include, digging wells, managing and controlling water

resources, positioning animals and conservation of water resources.

The research recommends all the concerned parties to ensure proper water resource management,

this can be through preventing the dcforestation, ensuring diversification in the sources of

livelihood like through crop production. The study also recommends the government to improve

water harvesting techniques and enhancing dams’ capacities through the removal of seasonal

sedimentation.