Gender Disparities in Adoption of Alternative Livelihood Strategies in the Pastoral Community of West Pokot County, Kenya

Purpose: Gender disparities continue to impede adoption of Alternative Livelihood Strategies (ALSs) among pastoralists in West Pokot County. After a period of concerted effort by development agencies to bridge the gender gap, information/data on the extent of the differentials remain scanty, yet, this is critical in the efforts to enhance adoption of ALSs. It is against this backdrop that this study, investigated gender disparities in adoption of ALSs in the community. Methodology: Whereas both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were applied, the study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design. The target population for the study was adult household members in West Pokot County. Both multi-stage cluster and purposive sampling techniques were employed to sample respondents. Quantitative data was then analyzed using descriptive statistics with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The analyzed data was presented in tables and charts. Thematic analysis was employed for qualitative data which was presented in narrative and verbatim forms. Findings: The study revealed that majority of the pastoralists had adopted ALSs. However, there were gender disparities in the type, nature and number of ALSs adopted. Gender disparities also existed in the willingness to adopt, duration and general extent to which the ALSs had been adopted. The study, therefore, concludes that there are stack gender disparities in adoption of ALSs in the community that disadvantage the women. As a result, the pace and extent of adoption of ALSs in the community is slow and low. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: This study underlines that equal participation of both gender in adoption of ALSs is critical in the wellbeing of the community. This reinforces the tenets of Structural Functionalism theory and the Capacities and Vulnerabilities Assessment framework that, society is a complex system whose parts (both men and women) should work together to promote solidarity, complementarity and stability. This study provides information to the existing body of knowledge in gender and diversification of livelihoods among pastoralists. More importantly, the findings and recommendations of this study can enable development actors to develop practical gender responsive strategies that may improve adoption of ALSs.