Impact of Famine Relief Food Aid on the Gabbra Pastoralists of Marsabit District: Case Study of Maikona Location

Abstract

About 80% of land area in Kenya falls within Arid and Semi-Arid lands (ASALs). Drought is a common feature in the Northern and North Eastern part, Coast and Eastern Region of Kenya. The impact of drought is felt a lot in pastoralists' areas in that it affects people's lives and livelihoods leading to destitution and poverty. Pastoralism is however the most efficient way of utilizing resources of these areas. The Government of Kenya, in liaison with other International Agencies, Donors, and Non- Governmental Organizations mount famine relief programs to ease the pain of hunger during drought. Such Programs involve broad objectives like saving lives and reducing mortality risk; supporting and strengthening livelihoods; local capacity building and programs that build on social organization and take account of the needs of marginalized groups, particularly women (OXFAM, 1997)...