I am looking for fieldwork conducted in northern Kenya, which describes typical patterns of herd management in concordance with seasonal variations in rainfall and the spatial distribution of relevant features such as wells, dry season grazing areas etc. Moreover I would like to know if there are significant differences between regions (for example between Turkana County and Marsabit County). Any suggestions?
Hi. Some of the most relevant differences: there is higher number of water points in Turkana then in Marsabit (so less distance between water points), only one tribe in Turkana compared with several in Marsabit, several mountain ranges in secure areas in Turkana provide good dry season grazing areas while not much in Marsabit.
Water is indeed the most important factor that dictates the movement patterns of livestock in Northern Kenya. Rainfall reduces as one goes further north from the equator and concentration of all animals is where there is availability of water (wells and earth pans). Laikipia, Samburu and some parts of Marsabit have the communities well organised with good grazing regimes managed by elders. This has been done over centuries and in a way managed very well their rangelands. Check Northern Rangeland Trust website for more information on grazing regimes.
Thank you Maurzio and Antony. You are helping me a lot. Do you know by any chance if seasonal movements of livestock in northern Kenya have been mapped previously and where I could find this information?
Regarding Turkana District you can ask me! I was Divisional Veterinary Officer from 81 to 89.
Some of Terrence McCabe's work:
McCabe, J.T. (1987). Drought and recovery: Livestock dynamics among the
Ngisonyoka Turkana of Kenya. Human Ecology 15, 371–389.
McCabe, J.T. (1990). Turkana pastoralism: A case against the tragedy of the commons. Human Ecology 18, 81–103.