Evaluating The Effects of Climate Change Adaptations on Pastoral Livelihoods and Food Security: A Case of Wajir North Subcounty, Wajir County, Kenya

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of climate change adaptation strategies on pastoral livelihoods and food security in Wajir North Sub-County, Wajir County, Kenya. The study objectives were; to identify the climate change adaptation strategies employed by pastoral communities in mitigating environmental challenges in Wajir North Subcounty, Wajir County, Kenya, assess the impact of climate change adaptation strategies on pastoral livelihoods, evaluate the influence of climate change adaptation strategies on food security and nutritional outcomes among pastoral communities, examine the effectiveness of water resource management systems and infrastructure in supporting climate change adaptation strategies among pastoral communities and to scrutinise the interconnections between climate change adaptation, water resource management, pastoral livelihoods, food security, and nutritional outcomes in Wajir North Subcounty. The study was anchored in the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF), which explained how households mobilize assets to cope with climate variability. The Vulnerability and Adaptation (V&A) Framework guided analysis of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity, while Resilience Theory illuminated how pastoral systems withstand shocks and sustain function. A mixed-methods descriptive survey design was employed, drawing on household surveys (n = 357), key informant interviews (n = 21), and secondary data from meteorological and NGO sources. Findings revealed widespread adoption of adaptation measures, with herd diversification practiced by 78.9% of households and water harvesting by 21.1%. The study concludes that adaptation strategies enhance resilience but require structural support. Recommendations include strengthening institutions, improving market linkages, supporting community-led initiatives, and integrating indigenous and scientific knowledge.