Environmental Degradation and its Influence on the Security of Pastoralist Communities in Samburu County, Kenya

Abstract

Environmental degradation in Samburu County, Kenya, severely impacted the livelihoods and security of pastoralist communities by reducing pasture, water resources, and arable land, leading to increased competition and conflicts. The study aimed to investigate how environmental degradation affects the security of pastoralist communities in Samburu County, Kenya. The study's specific objectives were to: analyze the impact of vegetation cover loss on the security of these communities from 2005 to 2025; evaluate how diminishing water resources affect their security; determine the influence of soil erosion on their security in Samburu County; and assess government intervention strategies. Theories of Environmental Scarcity and Ecological Systems offer a framework to explain how resource scarcity in Samburu has fueled competition, affected livelihoods and put pastoralists' security at risk in interwoven environmental and social impacts. A descriptive research design was used for the study. A total of 310,489 people were considered as the target population. A sample of 360 Community Members, 24 Local Leaders, 12 Government Representatives and 4 NGO Representatives were selected by stratified random sampling method. Data was obtained by descriptive statistics including frequencies, means and percentage and inferential statistics were Pearson correlations, hierarchical regression analysis, to explore the relationship and effect of study variables. The descriptive results from the study indicated that there was a significant vegetation cover decrease, plant density and biodiversity, in Samburu County due to increased insecurity. Rivers and boreholes were reported as drying, impacting human and livestock survival and thus socio-economic vulnerability. Less land available for crops, and food production and grazing disturbed by decreased soil fertility and erosion. There was an acknowledgement of government initiatives such as reforestation and peacebuilding, but there was a need for more sustained and localized support, to increase community security. The study observed that there was strong association and statistically significant correlation between the loss of vegetation cover and security of the pastoralists (r= 0.813; p = 0.000), and regression results showed that the degree of the association was significant for predicting the loss of vegetation cover and pastoralists' security. The negative trend in the water resources was closely correlated with the security (r = 0.825; p = 0.000) and regression analysis showed that it had a significant impact (β = 0.196; p = 0.001). Soil erosion was also significantly related to security (r = 0.821; p = 0.000), though its effect size was smaller (β = 0.117; p = 0.012). Finally, government intervention measures were found to correlate with security (r = 0.827; p = 0.000) the most, and also to have the most significant regression effect (β = 0.354; p = 0.000). For environmental degradation in Samburu County, the study recommends increased afforestation, water infrastructure enhancement and promotion of sustainable land use by relevant government agencies. It further requires more inclusive and community-led environmental programmes which integrate local knowledge and improve the effectiveness and sustainability of environmental actions. This research will provide insight into the local community, policy makers, NGOs, and academia. The results shape policies, shape guided interventions, and help with the understanding of the connection between environmental problems and security for pastoral populations