Factors Influencing the Adaptation Decisions to Impacts of Climate Change among the Maasai Pastoral Community in Narok County, Kenya

Climate change has adverse effects on household food security and on poverty alleviation among pastoralists. This study used unique household-level data from 415 pastoral households from three sub-counties—of Narok County in Kenya to identify the major determinants of their decision to select different community-based adaptation strategies to impacts of climate change. The results from a logit model indicated that the household head characteristics (gender, education (secondary and university level), marital status, and the main occupation), socio-economic and institutional factors (access to credit, access to water, and access to climate related information) were important in enhancing the adoption of the adaptation strategies to impacts of climate change. Therefore, to enhance the resilience of pastoral communities to impacts of climate change, policies that incorporate indigenous knowledge, promote community-led adaptation, enhance effective and appropriate dissemination of climate-related information at the local level and those that provide access to relevant institutions should be formulated. In addition, livestock off-take schemes, and framework needs to be set through the establishment of effective and efficient livestock markets specifically in the pastoral areas in order to cushion pastoralist from deepening into food insecurity and poverty during the occurrences of extreme climate events.

Population Status and Trend of the Maasai Giraffe in the Mid Kenya-Tanzania Borderland

Among the nine sub-species of giraffes, the Maasai giraffe is the most widespread and common in Northern and Southern Kenya. Although it’s considered by the IUCN to be a species of no conservation concern, they have been reported to have declined in some of their range areas mostly due to bush meat activities, habitat fragmentation and loss. There are also concerns recent climatic changes especially prevalence of droughts is increasingly becoming another threat to their survival. In this regard, this study examined the status and trend of the Maasai giraffe in the Kenya-Tanzania border after the 2007 to 2009 drought. Amboseli had the highest giraffe number (averaging 2, 062.5 ± 534.7 giraffes), followed by a distant Lake Natron area (725.8 ± 129.4 giraffes), Magadi/Namanga (669.5 ± 198.0 giraffes), and lastly West Kilimanjaro area (236.5 ± 47.8 giraffes). Further, the proportion of giraffes were highest in Amboseli (55.09% ± 5.65%) followed by Lake Natron area (20.98% ± 3.42%), Magadi/Namanga area (16.35% ± 3.83%), and lastly West Kilimanjaro (7.58% ± 2.12%). But in terms of population growth after droughts, giraffe had positive growth in all locations in the borderland, with Magadi leading (+339.82 ± 329.99) followed Lake Natron area (+37.62 ± 83.27), Amboseli area (+38.11 ± 7.09), and lastly West Kilimanjaro (+3.21 ± 57.95.27). Their wet season population and density was much higher than that of the dry season. However, though the species was widely spread in the borderland, they seemed to avoid the region between Lake Magadi and Amboseli which is traversed by the Nairobi-Namanga highway both in wet and dry season. There is a need to develop a collaborative management framework for cross-border conservation to enhance their protection, conservation and genetic linkage.

Population Status and Trend of the Maasai Ostrich in the Mid Kenya—Tanzania Borderland

The Maasai ostrich (Struthio camelus) is a the largest avian species in East Africa and though it’s not considered to be a species of conservation concern, some populations are on the decline and this is attributed to bush meat activities, predation on their eggs illegal consumption by humans, habitat destruction and forage competition with other large wildlife species. Climate change is also emerging to be another major threat due to interference with food availability which in turn interferes with the breeding rhythm. Thus, this study examined the population status, trend and distribution of the Maasai ostrich in the Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania borderland after the 2007 to 2009 drought. The results showed that the species was found across the entire borderland but the Amboseli region had the highest number and density of Maasai ostrich (726.00 ± 100.9;0.08 ± 0.01 ostriches per km2), followed by Lake Natron area (330.8 ± 69.8;0.05 ± 0.01 ostriches per km2) and the least was in West Kilimanjaro (85.5 ± 18.0;0.03 ± 0.01 ostriches per km2). Drought caused a decline in the population of the Maasai ostrich but the Amboseli area experienced the highest decline in density (?13.44 ± 12.61) compared to other borderland sectors. However, the populations increased in most sectors after the drought, and wet season numbers and densities were higher than the dry season. The highest positive increase in number and density was in Lake Natron area (+85.65 ± 91.06) followed by West Kilimanjaro (+68.39 ± 59.54), and the least was in the Magadi area (+22.26 ± 32.05). There is a need to enhance conservation of avian species like the Maasai ostrich other than just focusing on the charismatic species such as the African elephant and black rhino. We therefore recommend joint collaboration in monitoring all large wildlife populations across the Kenya-Tanzania borderland with a view of understanding their status, trend and best management actions that can enhance their conservation.

Depression&Anxiety Among Women in Northern Kenya:Sociodemographic Predictors

This article documents socio-demographic predictors of anxiety and depression among Maasai women in resource poor settings in Northern Kenya.These findings emerged from the findings of a dissertation research that aimed to establish the treatment effectiveness of an eclectic model of psychoeducation(PE)in treating depressive and anxiety symptoms among the women.The study adopted a quasi-experimental research design which had an experimental group(EG)and control group(CG).The population for the study was 686 female members of Conservation Enterprise Groups(CEG)in Laikipia County,from which a sample of 200 were recruited for the study(EG,n=100 and CG,n=100),at 80%power and 30%effective size.The Beck’s Depression Inventory(BDI)and Beck’s Anxiety Inventory(BAI)tools were used to assess the symptoms of depression and anxiety,respectively.The PE was provided as an intervention treatment to the EG at the middle and end of the study,after which the respondents were tested for symptoms of depression.The study established the prevalence of depression as 26.7%and 31.3%for anxiety and disorders,among women in the region.Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 21.0.

Low utilization of skilled birth attendants in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania: A complex reality requiring action

Limited integration of contextual factors in maternal care contributes to slow progress towards achieving MDG5 in sub-Sahara Africa. In Ngorongoro, rural Tanzania, the maternal mortality ratio is high with 642 maternal deaths/100,000 live births. Skilled birth attendants (SBAs) assist only 7% of deliveries. This study, undertaken from 2009 to 2011, used Participatory Action Research involving local stakeholders (Maasai women and men, traditional birth attendants (TBAs), hospital staff) to examine reasons for low utilization of SBAs and moreover to develop proposals how to integrate contextual factors and local needs in the health care system. Interviews, observations and literature study were also conducted. Thaddeus and Maine’s Three Delays model is used to structure the analysis. Delaying factors in decision making at home: negative perceptions by the community on availability and quality of care in the hospital;discontinuity of care by TBAs;food and financial insecurity;desired nearness to cattle and family;limited recognition of maternal deaths;limited male health education and suboptimal birth preparedness. Delaying factors in reaching the hospital: vehicle and road limitations. Delaying factors in receiving hospital care: limited (human) resources and limited knowledge sharing at the hospital. Community members and health workers proposed: increasing food/financial security;tailoring male health education;combining TBA/SBA care to provide continuous, culturally appropriate labour support;creating separate maternity wards;increasing the number and training of staff;ensuring continuous availability of Emergency Obstetric Care. Applying solutions to increase hospital utilization seems complex as collaborative actions by multiple actors and institutions are needed to create both a needs based and clinically sound continuum of maternal care. To follow-up this process of integrating local solutions into the maternal care system, we suggest to adapt the WHO Strategic Approach—a top-down framework for the implementation of innovations—to fit this bottom-up approach.

Depressive Disorders Among Women Living in Resource Poor,Northern Kenya:The Role of Psycho-education

This paper highlights the findings of a dissertation research which aimed to determine the effectiveness of a model of psycho-education(PE)developed for this study,in treating the symptoms of depressive disorders among Maasai women living in resource poor settings in Laikipia County,in Northern Kenya.The quasi-experimental research design with an experimental group(EG)and control group(CG)was adopted for this study.The target population for this study were 686 female members of Conservation Enterprise Groups(CEG)operating in the area.A sample size of 200 was selected for the study;(EG,n=100)and(CG,n=100),at 80%power and 30%effective size.The tool used to test for symptoms of depression was the Beck’s Depression Inventory(BDI).The PE was provided as an intervention treatment to the EG at the middle and end of the study,after which the respondents were tested for symptoms of depression.The prevalence of depression was established at 26.7%and statistical tests conducted throughout the studies showed that the PE treatment significantly improved depression symptoms(P<0.005).Data from the(CG)showed that if these symptoms were not treated using,they degenerated into severe symptoms.Data was analysed using SPSS Version 21.0.

A Field Study in the Status and Threats of Cultivation in Kimana and Ilchalai Swamps in Amboseli Dispersal Area, Kenya

The scarcity of water and dependence of local communities on wetlands for resources and services is a common occurrence in dry rangelands such as Amboseli in Kenya. There are only a few swamps outside Amboseli National Park available to the Maasai, livestock and wildlife. Such swamps may disappear in the near future because of conversion to cultivation. This study established the current size and threats to Kimana and Ilchalai near Amboseli National Park. Swamps were regularly used by over 15 large mammal species among them elephants, buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, gazelles and hippopoatums. However, only 15.7% of Kimana Swamp and 36.1% of Ilchalai Swamp remained unconverted to cultivation, with the rest of the remaining swamp area converted to agriculture. Cultivation was mainly done by non–Maasai land leasers, and for mainly commercial purposes. Swamps were converted because of adequate and free water, cheap lease fee, and their fertile soils. Although concerned with swamp conversion, most cultivators were ready to expand cultivation in other swamps. These findings demonstrate how unsustainable resource use and swamp conversion can seriously threaten critical resources for local livelihoods and wildlife conservation.

“一带一路”背景下可持续基础设施的定性评估——以肯尼亚C12公路改造项目为例

由于"一带一路"沿线国家大多面临可持续发展难题,基础设施是"一带一路"倡议推进的物质基础,因此,沿线国家的可持续基础设施应倍加重视。现阶段相关评价框架不少,但系统性和实操性稍显薄弱,且侧重于行为导向而非目的导向。因此,文章在联合国可持续发展目标基础上,发展出新的评价框架。在研究方法上,由于现有研究指出定性评估不可或缺;同时,沿线国家,特别是非洲相关国家,缺乏评价基础数据;因此文章选择肯尼亚C12公路改造项目进行定性评估。文章发现案例通过修筑道路和挖掘水塘为主的一系列活动,总体上促进了地区可持续发展,但也存在负面效应;并据案例分析,提出以点带面、创新模式、融入社区、顶层设计、文明互鉴的建议。