https://repository.seku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/125 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 15:09:24 GMT 2026-04-04T15:09:24Z https://repository.seku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/8327 Title: Complexities of drought adaptive behaviour: Linking theory to data on smallholder farmer adaptation decisions Authors: Wens, Marthe L.; Mwangi, Moses; van Loon, Anne F.; Aerts, Jeroen C. Abstract: Smallholder farmers in semi-arid regions continuously face drought risk, leading to recurring crop damage, income loss and food insecurity, and they are taking adaptive measures to cope with this risk. By comparing and combining empirical data and existing behavioural theories, we studied the complexity of smallholder farmers' adaptive behaviour in Kitui, Kenya. We conducted interviews with key informants, a survey of disaster managers and an extensive questionnaire and choice experiment among local smallholders, and found that mistrust in forecasting and a strong belief in God appeared to be barriers to adaptation, while farm groups and past adaptation decisions seemed to stimulate the intention to adopt new measures. Our results confirmed the importance of several components of existing bounded rational theories in that risk appraisal, social norm, self-efficacy and response cost and efficacy significantly influence adaptive behaviour under drought risk. However, none of the evaluate theories could fully explain the observed behaviour. We further demonstrated that tailored extension services, improved early warning systems, ex-ante cash aid and low interest credit schemes increase the intention to adapt. While a general aversion to the current situation was evident, there was great heterogeneity in the preferences for these policies. Findings of this the extensive data collection and analysis can be used to identify the most vulnerable groups and develop well-targeted adaptation policies, and for designing, calibrating and validating of utility functions to model heterogeneous adjustment decisions in dynamic drought risk models. Description: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102435 Wed, 01 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.seku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/8327 2021-09-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.seku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/7969 Title: Demons of Developments Without Dialoguing with Indigenous Knowledge Authors: Mwangi, Moses Abstract: The genesis of this Chapter deliberations is informed by the fact that both the pre and post independent Kenyan governments have never prioritized people’s knowledge to be part of the development agenda. The situation is worse for the pastoralists who live in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs). The regions have faced development marginalization with the resultant deleterious effects being heightened by weather whims, unfair policies and scarce resources. For a people who rely on rational exploitation of natural resources for their survival, the effects have led to unsustainable lives and livelihoods. The discussions herein aim at sharing the experiences of the Maasai pastoralists inhabiting the Kajiado County of Kenya whose development interventions from the turn of the century have only known ostracism, with negative short and long term social, economic and environmental consequences. The main premise of the discourse is that the vision of a truly global knowledge partnership will be realized only when development partners participate as both contributors and users of knowledge. There is therefore a need for development support agencies to appreciate the indigenous knowledge of the target localities and plugging in global knowledge for effective and integrated sustainable development of the people and their ecosystems. Description: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-85512-2 Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.seku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/7969 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.seku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/7583 Title: Streamflow and salt flux in the semi-arid Tiva river basin in eastern Kenya Authors: Kitheka, Johnson U. Abstract: This chapter presents the results of a study on the influence of streamflow variability on salinity, total dissolved solids (TDS) and conductivity in a semi-arid Tiva River Basin in Kenya. Measurements of salinity, TDS, conductivity and river discharges were undertaken in sampling stations by applying standard hydrologic methods. The study shows that there is a significant relationship between the variability of streamflow and the variability of salinity, conductivity and TDS in the river. The high salt concentrations were a result of high evapotranspiration and seepage of subterranean water from bank storage and groundwater aquifers. Inter-sub-basin variations in the levels of salinity were attributed to differences in land uses, lengths and sizes of the sub-basins. Sustainable irrigation and land use practices in the semi arid Tiva River Basin requires construction of water reservoirs for control of salinity levels in the river. Description: DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-2719-0.ch002 Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.seku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/7583 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.seku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/7582 Title: The effects of streamflow variability on salt flux in a semi-arid tropical river basin in eastern Kenya Authors: Kitheka, Johnson U. Abstract: This chapter presents the results of a study on the influence of streamflow variability on salt fluxes in a semi-arid Tiva River Basin located in Eastern Kenya. Measurements of salinity, total dissolved solids (TDS), conductivity, and river discharges were undertaken in sampling stations located within the main branch of the river as well as in the tributaries, namely Kauwi, Kalundu, Nzeeu, and Mwitasyano Rivers in the Upper Region of the Tiva River Basin. The mean and maximum river discharges for the sub-basins of the river ranged from 11 to 33 m3s-1 and from 118 to 210 m3s-1, respectively. The peak river discharge at the main Tiva branch was 270 m3s-1. The study shows that there is a significant relationship between the variability of streamflow and the variability of salt fluxes in the river as exemplified by variation of salinity, conductivity, and TDS in the river. Description: DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-0163-4.ch003 Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.seku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/7582 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z