Pastoralism and Oil Extraction in Kenya: Livelihood, Adaptation and Resilience of Pastoral Community in Turkana County

Abstract

Oil extraction and connexions as witness lately has displace pastoralists from significant grazing sites and migratory routes. This has resulted in actual livelihood problems and high levels of concern. Turkana County land is almost all communal land held in trust by the county government of Turkana for pastoralist communities, but the majority has been allocated as oil blocks in agreements with investors. It is uncertain how much land will ultimately be inaccessible to pastoralist. Extraction of oil can upsurge inequality, ensconce separations among different groups which possibly fuel conflict which will widen the gap between government and people thus promoting inequality. The main objective of the study was to find out how oil extraction impact pastoralists' livelihood especially in Turkana East and South in Turkana County. Descriptive survey research design was applied whereby simple random technique was used on stratified samples. Instruments of data collection were; questionnaires, focused group discussions, interview schedules and observation. The study found out that Oil exploration exacerbates water scarcity as a lot of ground water is required in every step and land will be lost to the extracting companies for creation of Oil camps, roads networks and has started to deny the pastoralist pasture land for their animals. The findings indicated that the livelihood of the Turkana people is largely based on nomadic pastoralism. The health of pastoralists is in danger since water streams and rivers have been contaminated with toxics discharges from the explorations and drilling of oil in Turkana County. Fire flaring and emission of toxic gases to air has started causing eye and skin complications. Government should carryout thorough assessment on oil exploration and drilling to ascertain the impact of their entire process. In addition, better local and national policies on oil extraction be formulated and regulations put in place.