Institute for Development Studies, University of Nairobi

This paper examines the effects of the 1972-76 period of drought upon the people of the Loitokitok area of Kajiado District. The relationship between changing land use patterns, social systems, resource availability and the ability of people to cope with drought is discussed for Maasai pastoralists, Maasai agro-pastoralists and non-Maasai farmers. The paper concludes that if contemporary trends in land use are permitted to continue unchecked then the vulnerability of both farmers and pastoralists to future drought will increase.