Livelihood Choices and Returns Among Pastoralists: Evidence from Southern Kenya

Pastoral systems are rapidly changing in Africa and elsewhere, yet relatively little is known regarding what, and how well, households in these systems are now doing. This article addresses livelihood choices and income diversification strategies in a traditionally Maasai pastoral area of southern Kenya, and the factors influencing the returns to their diverse livelihood strategies. We explore how well household-level versus geographic factors explain the large variability in income and livestock wealth levels and the implications for wildlife conservation and poverty reduction strategies.