Improving natural resource management in Kenya in response to climate change

Funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), this project aims to increase the resilience of vulnerable households to climate change-related shocks in Kenya. The project – a seven-year partnership programme called IMARA – is taking place in eight counties in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL).

ASAL counties make up 29 of Kenya’s 47 counties. Most people in these counties earn a living through pastoralism; the pastoralist practice of keeping huge numbers of livestock places stress on the land and increases environmental degradation. The unsustainable use of already dwindling resources continues to reinforce intercommunity conflicts, which mostly occur during dry periods or drought. Through a rights-based approach, the project aims to build the capacity of people to challenge authorities on the social, economic and political issues that affect natural resource management and which negatively impact households’ livelihood security.