Population increase and socio-economic changes in a pastoral society: The case of the Turkana, Kakuma division, Kenya

Abstract: 
We studied the impact of settlement on socio-economic patterns and environment quality among the Turkana pastoral communities in Kenya. We used open-ended and close-ended questionnaire and focus group discussion. The majority of the people were pastoralists, keeping animals around the camp most times (65%), but also migrating regularly (35%). There was considerable land degradation, due to increase in animal and human populations. Cutting down of trees for charcoal was widespread.
Nous avons étudié l’impact des agglomérations sur les modèles socio-économiques et la qualité de l’environnement au sein des communautés pastorales du Turkana au Kenya. Nous avons utilisé les questionnaires ouverts et fermés ainsi que le groupe de discussion. La majorité de gens questionnés étaient des éleveurs, gardant les animaux aux environs du camp pour la plupart de temps (65%), mais aussi se déplaçant régulièrement (35%). Il y a eu une dégradation considérable des terres, dues à l’augmentation des populations animales et humaines. L’abattage des arbres pour le charbon de bois a été généralisée.
Language: 
English
Date of publication: 
2010
Country: 
Region Focus: 
East Africa
Author/Editor(s): 
University/affiliation: 
Collection: 
RUFORUM Conferences and Workshops
Licence conditions: 
Open Access
Access restriction: 
Form: 
Printed resource
Publisher: 
ISSN: 
E_ISSN: 
Edition: 
Extent: 
1831-1834
Notes: 

About the RUFORUM 2010 Biennal Conference
"The 2010 RUFORUM Biennial Conference was the second in the series. The main objective of the Biennial conferences is to provide a platform for agricultural research for development stakeholders in Africa and beyond to actively exchange findings and experiences, while at the same time learning lessons towards improving performance of the agricultural sector and ultimately people’s livelihoods. The biennial conference is RUFORUM’s most comprehensive meeting for the diversity of stakeholders in agriculture. It is especially dedicated to graduate students and their supervisors, grantees in RUFORUM member universities and alumni. It is a platform for peer review, quality control, mentorship, networking and shared learning. This record contains an extended abstract accepted under the theme of Information Systems"