Effects of climate change and variability on agricultural activities and the coping

strategies in Kajiado North Sub-County

Climate change and variability is a major threat

facing humanity in the 21st century especially to

persons living in ASAL ecosystems since these

changes threaten food security in these areas.

This study was done; i) To determine the

perceptions on climate change and variability, ii)

to investigate the effects of

climate change and variability on agricultural

activities and iii) to assess coping and adaptation

mechanisms to climate change and variability.

Data collection was done using semi structured

questionnaire administered to a total of 80

respondents, 50 in Ongata Rongai and 40 in South

Keekonyokie based on the population data. SPSS

was used to analyze data. From the study, climate

change awareness was 90% and this can be

attributed to higher levels of education among the

sampled respondents. Also, major impacts on

agricultural activities were reduced yields in South

Keekonyokie

(46%) and high food prices (94.4%) in Ongata

Rongai. This can be attributed to varying economic

activities between the regions. While most of the

residents in South Keekonyokie practised small

holder farming, Ongata Rongai residents were

mostly formally employed. The adaptation

measures used also

varied depending on the economic activities.

Ongata Rongai residents practiced rainwater

harvesting (62%) while South Keekonyokie

residents used agroforestry and drought tolerant

crop varieties (60%). From the study it is clear that

the residents are aware of climate change and

these changes have had

adverse negative impacts on their agricultural

activities hence they have certain adaptation

measures they use to cope. However majority of

them use a single coping strategy and therefore

there is need for education and awareness

creation on the use of a combination of coping

strategies. Further, more research should be done

to promote local adaptation mechanisms and

encourage alternative livelihoods.

Key words: climate change, climate

variability, coping strategies