Climate Change and Water Scarcity Coping Strategies in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands in Kenya

Abstract

Arid and semi-arid regions face significant challenges in managing water resources due to climate change, population growth, and economic development. This study focuses on Kitui County, where climate change has intensified water scarcity, impacting communities' socio-economic well-being. Despite these challenges, there's limited research on community coping strategies. The study area was chosen for its representation of arid and semi-arid conditions. A sample of 100 households was surveyed across three constituencies using proportional population sampling. Questionnaires were administered to collect data on demographic information and coping strategies. To test the association between households' perception of climate change and the adoption of specific coping strategies, a chi-square test of independence was used. Results indicate that the majority of respondents were male (62%), reflecting cultural norms where men engage in water infrastructure development. Walking long distances to fetch water from seasonal rivers emerged as the primary coping strategy, followed by rainwater harvesting and purchasing water from vendors. Higher education and income levels were associated with more sophisticated coping strategies like rainwater harvesting and private boreholes. Water rationing and government interventions also played significant roles in coping. Government interventions, although present, were not always significant in mitigating water scarcity. Overall, this study underscores the urgency of implementing sustainable water management strategies and fostering community resilience in arid and semi-arid regions.