| dc.description.abstract | Ecological change is a significant hindrance to Kenya's development aspirations outlined in Vision 2030. Kenya is inherently susceptible to ecological-related hazards, with severe weather and unpredictable rainfall now being the prevailing patterns. The majority of people in arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya are agro-pastoralists, whose means of subsistence are cultivation of crops and rearing of animals. Ecological factors play a crucial role in shaping and influencing these production processes. More than half (78%) of the families in Elgeyo Marakwet generate income from cultivation of crops and rearing of animals, with crop production accounting for 66% of their total household earnings. Ecological changes in Elgeyo Marakwet, however, have resulted in decline in crop and livestock yields and an increase in production expenses. About 73.3% of households in the County experience food insecurity, and 57% live in poverty, which is higher than the national average of 46%. This study focus was to analyze historical influence of ecological change on agro-pastoral economy and food security in Elgeyo Marakwet County from 1850 to 2013. It aimed to examine the interplay between Elgeyo Marakwet's agro-pastoral economy and its ecological system. It sought to evaluate factors that influenced transformation of ecology and its impact on food production and food security during the colonial period, and finally, it aimed to ascertain the impact of government policies and legislations on ecology and food security in the post-colonial era. The research was conducted in Elgeyo Marakwet County using a historical research design. Individuals who were specifically targeted included the elderly (both men and women), ex-colonial administrators, retired post-colonial administrators, experts in ecology and professionals in forestry, farmers, agricultural officers, and staff members of the KVDA. Purposive and snowballing sampling techniques were used to select
64 informants. Archival sources and secondary sources were utilized to enhance the knowledge obtained from field interviews by corroborating and triangulating the data. The
data underwent content and thematic analysis, resulting in the identification and
categorization of themes and sub-themes aligned with the study's aims and human ecology theory. The study established that Elgeyo Marakwet's agro-pastoral economy functioned within a system of comprehended and controlled ecology, which relied on indigenous knowledge to ensure adequate food production and food security in the pre-colonial era. It has demonstrated that the implementation of colonial rule and the introduction of colonial policies and practices such land alienation and settler squatter systems, wage labour and tax policies, introduction of new crops, and destocking policy, had a negative impact on the Elgeyo Marakwet’s ecology, agropastoral economy and food security. Furthermore, the study revealed that post-colonial government policies and legislations on agro-pastoral production in Elgeyo Marakwet had a significant impact on the region’s ecology, agro-pastoral economy, and food security. Therefore, the study concludes that Elgeyo Marakwet region has been subjected to food insecurity due to great ecological changes resulting from colonial and post- colonial government policies and legislations on agro-pastoral economy. The study recommends that traditional institutions and knowledge remain central to ecological management and agro-pastoral economy, and should be maintained and integrated into the various government policies and legislations to ensure a sustainable ecology, agro-pastoral economy and food security. The study's findings provide valuable insights on ecological change that have the potential to enhance and sustain agro pastoral production and food security. These insights are useful to policy-makers responsible for making well-informed decisions on ecological conservation and management, as well as agro-pastoral economy and food security. Given that the terminal point of this study was 2013, when County governments were established following Kenya’s general election on March 4, 2013 under the
2010 constitution, and agriculture being a devolved function, this study suggests further research on the role of County governments in ecological management and conservation, agro pastoral production and food security in marginal areas. | en |
