Climate (im)mobility, gender and conflict: a look inside pastoralist communities in Garissa County, Kenya

Garissa County is located in northeast Kenya. It typically has a semi-arid to arid climate, and also grapples with the challenges of climate change: increased temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts, resulting in widespread devastation and the displacement of communities.

In the heart of Garissa County, pastoralism is the predominant way of life for 95% of the population. The livelihoods of these communities depend on the trade of livestock as well as their products like meat, milk and hides. Nomadic or semi-nomadic herding practices are common here, a testament to the resilience of both animals and pastoralist people in the face of the harsh environmental conditions. However, prolonged droughts can lead to livestock losses, presenting an economic challenge to the communities and region at large.

In this article, we explore how climate change (notably severe droughts) impacts pastoralist communities in Garissa County. We aim to unravel the intersecting dynamics of pastoralism, gender, (im)mobility and conflict as they relate to the impacts of climate change, highlighting both the local and global support needed to enable pastoralists to keep flourishing.

Climate change, pastoralism and conflict

Prior to significant climate change, the traditional pastoralist movement consisted of cyclical migrations along established routes. Natural water sources like the Tana River, seasonal rivers, and water pans were pivotal in determining the movement of people and their animals, with seasonal migrations shaping traditional mobility. Recently, traditional patterns have undergone significant changes due to the onset of climate change, alongside urbanisation and the privatisation of land. Pastoralist communities now face the dilemma of either adapting their routes and engaging in fierce competition for water due to heightened droughts and water scarcity, or abandoning pastoralism altogether by selling their livestock – an impractical and upsetting choice for those whose livelihoods have always been rooted in this way of life.

Pastoralist mobility in Garissa County exerts a significant influence on the dynamics and risk of conflict within and between pastoralist communities. One notable 2020 study posits that just a 1°C temperature increase in areas shared by both farmers and herders escalates the probability of conflict by a substantial 54%. However, the relationship between climate change, conflict and pastoralism is complex. The Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR) identifies three distinct pathways through which climate change intertwines with conflict concerning pastoralist communities.

Firstly, as resources like land, water, and pastures dwindle in availability, competition for these assets surges. In their efforts to preserve their livestock, pastoralists resort to heightened and extended migration in search of these resources. However, these resources may already be claimed by other stakeholders, such as other pastoralists or farmers, setting the stage for conflicts. As precipitation continues to dwindle and become increasingly erratic, the competition for scarce resources may intensify.

Secondly, the theft of livestock, locally called cattle rustling, also serves as a violent trigger for conflict. Such practices have always existed to some extent – traditionally, cattle rustling was a cultural practice, regulated by community elders to replenish livestock, to demonstrate bravery, or to provide a dowry for a bride. But it has evolved into a coping mechanism employed by pastoralist communities in Garissa County, and beyond, to recover their herds after prolonged periods of drought. In the past decade, livestock raiding has occurred more frequently and violently, fuelled by the proliferation of small arms, with the Kenya Livestock Marketing Council calling for a cessation of revenge attacks and the exploration of innovative solutions to curtail this practice.

Thirdly, and as mentioned above, hardships inflicted on livelihoods and food security are additional pathways to conflict, manifesting at the intra-household level. Around 35% of Garissa County’s inhabitants face precarious household food security. In pastoralist households and communities, concern and frustration stemming from a loss of livelihood can be a catalyst for elevated rates of gender-based violence within the household.

The ramifications of conflict on pastoralist communities are disastrous. Conflicts can displace farmers from their land, disrupt pastoralists’ access to vital resources, and ravage livelihoods by depleting or destroying essential assets. These impacts, however, are not uniformly distributed among the conflict participants, with women and girls disproportionately bearing the brunt of the violence. Nevertheless, amid the various pathways that are exacerbated by climate change, pastoralist communities and other stakeholders utilise a variety of strategies to maintain peace. Pastoralist communities may establish informal agreements with neighbouring farmers to facilitate shared resource access on mutually agreed terms. Secondly, Garissa County has established community-level peace committees, dedicated to mediating disputes and fostering dialogue among different groups to pre-empt conflict escalation.

The changing landscape of pastoralist (im)mobility

Pastoralist mobility in Garissa County is gendered. Men predominantly engage in livestock management and mobility-related decision-making, while women are entrusted with domestic responsibilities encompassing shelter maintenance, food preparation and caring for children and older people. As these communities traverse landscapes, women’s social networks are frayed; connections with extended family, friends and neighbours are strained, diminishing the critical support systems that underpin their resilience.

The toll of increased mobility due to climate change impacts women’s health. Frequent mobility distances women from healthcare facilities, complicating access to essential sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including maternal healthcare. Healthcare facilities in pastoralist communities are often concentrated in settled areas, necessitating arduous journeys, especially during seasonal migrations. In addition, the lifestyle of mobility can sometimes lead to nutritional challenges for pregnant women, with limited access to a diverse and balanced diet beyond meat and milk. Poor nutrition during pregnancy especially escalates the risk of maternal complications and adverse birth outcomes.

Frequent mobility also disrupts children’s education, with girls often more affected than boys. In pastoralist societies, gender roles stipulate that girls are responsible for domestic chores, such as fetching water, cooking and childcare, while boys are more involved in herding livestock. When families move, girls are tasked with additional domestic responsibilities in new environments, making it challenging for them to attend school regularly. Schools in rural or remote areas, where many pastoralist communities reside, are also far from their temporary settlements. Girls may face longer and more dangerous journeys to reach schools, which can deter parents from sending them to school, especially if there are concerns about safety.

The repercussions of frequent mobility extend to the realm of early marriages for some girls. Faced with limited educational opportunities and traditional gender norms prioritising boys’ education, parents may resort to early marriages to secure alliances or resources. In such cases, if families can only afford to educate a select few, boys are favoured, deepening the gender disparity.

It is also critical to address immobility. When men leave to accompany the herds, women and families are often left behind for weeks, months, or even longer. The duration of separation is often linked to the changing seasons, the specific pastoralist community, the availability of resources, and the nature of their migratory patterns. In a similar way to regular movement, this immobility means an increased workload for women and girls, also limiting access to education or healthcare. As the climate changes, the longer periods of male absence can leave women, children, and the elderly more vulnerable to conflicts and disputes with neighbouring communities over resources, such as water and grazing land.

The role of CSOs and international agencies

Civil society organisations (CSOs) are instrumental in addressing the interwoven issues of climate change, conflict, gender dynamics and mobility amongst pastoralist communities in Garissa County. However, research shows that in protracted drought conditions, pastoralists primarily rely on their own community and the expertise of their traditional leaders for support, rather than turning to non-governmental organisations, whether local or foreign. Thus, the success of any humanitarian or development intervention hinges on working within existing local structures, traditions and practice, which CSOs may already be plugged into.

To work effectively with pastoralists, it’s also imperative to acknowledge that programmes for pastoralist communities will differ significantly from those applied to settled populations. While settled communities allow for the establishment of permanent infrastructure such as schools and healthcare centres, pastoralist communities require flexible, adaptable interventions that can pivot with the ever-changing movement patterns of these communities. CSOs can also train individuals within these communities to deliver crucial services like healthcare and education, bridging the gap to these services especially in remote, mobile pastoralist communities.

Moreover, because of the strict gender roles, women are often marginalised when designing programmes, and it is important to ensure their voices are heard before any implementation. When given the chance, women are open about the challenges they face; capturing their experiences is key for more effective and responsive interventions.

CSOs can also play a pivotal role in supporting pastoralist communities in diversifying their income sources. Reducing dependency on livestock is a crucial step towards resilience in the face of environmental uncertainties. For instance, supporting the establishment of small businesses, crafts, or trading enterprises that can be easily adapted and relocated as pastoralists move from one grazing area to another is a practical approach. By encouraging economic diversification, CSOs can help pastoralist communities become less vulnerable to fluctuations in livestock-based income, fostering economic stability and resilience. Of course, this should be done alongside bolstering climate resilience within the existing traditional systems, thus safeguarding their longstanding practices without the need for constant reinvention.

One notable example of a CSO making a positive impact within Garissa County is Pastoralist Girls Initiative (PGI). In partnership with World Jewish Relief, PGI has undertaken a multifaceted initiative in the Saka Ward pastoralist community. This initiative encompasses the provision of water storage containers, the training of community health volunteers in hygiene promotion, and the construction of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in anticipation of the El Nino climatic phenomenon. Through the strategic placement of these facilities within educational institutions and by providing comprehensive training to female community health volunteers on menstrual health management, this intervention effectively tackles several gender-related challenges. Notably, it addresses issues like low school enrolment rates and the unmet need for sexual and reproductive health services that disproportionately impact pastoralist communities in the region.

It is only by working with hyper-local, deeply embedded partners, with established relationships and a bedrock of trust within these communities, that international actors can contribute to lasting success. Such organisations share vital cultural and social connections with the pastoralist communities they aim to support. International actors also have a critical role to play in global coordination efforts, spotlighting the challenges faced by pastoralist communities, raising awareness, support and funding from the global community. This two-pronged approach, focusing on local expertise and global outreach, is pivotal in bolstering support for pastoralists in places like Garissa County.

Conclusion

In sum, this article has explored the nexus between climate (im)mobility, gender dynamics and conflict within the heart of Kenya’s Garissa County. It has shown how environmental challenges have reshaped mobility patterns, with women bearing the disproportionate burden from increased workloads to limited access to healthcare and education. The article also has highlighted the relationship between climate change and conflict, discussing the competition for dwindling resources and cattle rustling as triggers. Despite these formidable challenges, pastoralist communities have shown resilience and adaptability, forging innovative solutions to maintain peace. Finally, the critical role of CSOs in supporting pastoralist communities cannot be overstated, as their work to provide support, facilitate dialogue and strengthen these communities is rooted in a deep understanding of local norms, traditions and practices. Flexible, community-driven programmes, with local CSOs playing a pivotal role supported by global partners are key to success. Overall, the challenges faced by pastoralist communities in Garissa County serve as a testament to their resilience while pointing to the pressing need for collective action to ensure a sustainable future for these communities.

Madison Jansen is Senior Humanitarian Programmes Officer at World Jewish Relief.

Madina Yunis Mahat is Gender and Health Coordinator at Pastoralist Girls Initiative.