TITLE:
Climate Variability: Attributes and Indicators of Adaptive Capacity in Semi-Arid Tharaka Sub-County, Kenya
AUTHORS:
Charles W. Recha, George L. Makokha, Chris A. Shisanya, Mercy N. Mukopi
KEYWORDS:
Adaptive Capacity, Climate Variability, Semi-Arid, Kenya
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.4 No.5,
May
8,
2017
ABSTRACT:
This
study assessed the state of adaptive capacity in four agro-ecological zones of
Tharaka sub-county, Kenya. The study utilized two data sets: household survey
and key informants. At total of 326 household respondents across four
agro-ecological zones; and 24 key informants from public and private sectors
were sampled. A
chi-square test was used
to test the independence of attributes of adaptive capacity-flexibility and access to resources. It was established that the state of adaptive capacity is reflected in
households’ cropping and livelihood diversification; and cultivation of drought tolerant crops.
Institutions are also involved in support programs such as distribution of
relief food and planting seeds, infrastructural support of irrigation and rainwater
harvesting. There is need for climate science, practitioners and community
interaction to scaled-up communication of best optimal adaptation practices
that are risk averse to climate variability.