| dc.description.abstract | Climate variability and change pose challenging negative impacts to the livelihood systems of the agropastoral communities in Kieni. However, despite the challenges, climate variability and change do present numerous opportunities that these communities can utilise to enhance their own adaptive capacity. This study was therefore conducted to explore the understanding and use of social and environmental opportunities offered by climate variability and change for agropastoral communities of Kieni Sub-county in Nyeri County. The study adopted a transdisciplinary approach to assess and understand the complexity at local levels and how to overcome barriers to adaptation in the local environmental scenario. Primary data was obtained through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), field observation, household and community surveys and key informant interviews. A total of 383 households were surveyed, twenty key informants interviews and four Focus Group Discussions conducted. Daily temperature and rainfall data were also analysed for the period 1991-2015 for temperature and year 1985-2015 for precipitation using the WMO-CCI/CLIVAR recommended guidelines where a total of 27 indices were analysed. The climate data was obtained from Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD). Data was analysed using statistical package R software and CRiSTAL tool that was used to analyse qualitative data. Mann-Kendall test was used to test statistically significant climate trends. From the analysis of extreme indices, the maximum and minimum temperature in Kieni shows positive trend, portraying an overall increase in daily maximum and minimum temperature. However, the monthly maximum value of daily maximum temperature (TXx) and monthly maximum value of daily minimum temperature (TNx) showed a decrease over the period 1991-2015. The number of days when TN<10thpercentile (cool nights) and number of days when TX<10thpercentile (cool days) have increased in Narumoru Gate Park met. This means that the area is cooling, offering an opportunity to exploit growing of crops that do well in cold areas and keeping livestock that can adapt to colder climate. In rainfall, the observed monthly maximum 1-day precipitation (Rx1day), showed significant trend in Sasini Weather Station.
Simple Daily Intensity Index (SDII) which shows days with precipitation amount on wet days with rainfall amount greater or equals to 1mm showed general increase in all the three weather stations with Munyaka Weather Station presenting a significant trend. The Consecutive Wet Days (CWD) with rainfall greater than or equal to 1mm has generally decreased in all the locations with Munyaka showing statistically significant trend.
The study also showed that the area is receiving more successful short rains seasons. This was triangulated with the FGDs where participants indicated that the short rains are proving to be more reliable and the community is utilising it to plant fast maturing crops such cabbages, spinach and kales which they consume in their homes and also sell for an income. The study shows that 91% of the agropastoral community were aware of the opportunities brought by climate variability and change. Those opportunities were seen in livelihood diversification such as poultry farming, dairy goat farming and dairy cow farming; social and environmental entrepreneurship mainly in agribusiness; technological innovation and development; improved land use and land management; improved farm production practices; financial and market services; employment and in education. Of the 350 households that reported to be aware of the opportunities, only 67% had taken up one or more, 33% of those households did not utilise any of the perceived opportunities. The study revealed that despite being the majority who perceived opportunities brought by climate variability and change female headed households had a lower uptake level (48%) as compared to male headed households (52%). Some of the barriers that hinder utilisation of these opportunities include lack of financial capital, lack of knowledge and technological awareness, old age, health problems, unreliable water supply and hindering market services and credit facilities. The study noted that climate change and agriculture policies, ordinances and bylaws that are being implemented in Kieni present an opportunity for Kieni people to enhance their adaptive capacity. For example the Nyeri County Intergrated Development Plan has outlined many projects in irrigation, water provision, tree planting, improving of animal and crop breeds and well as introducing new types to help the community in Kieni adapt better. All these projects presents opportunities in irrigated farming, growing of trees for nutritional values both for livestock and human beings, possibility of engaging in carbon markets, diversification of crops and livestock types and varieties an aquaculture farming, | en_US |
