5) Prof. George Ogendi

The drylands (Arid and Semi-Arid Lands or ASAL) of Kenya make up 84% of the total land surface, support approximately 34 % of the country’s population, and account for more than 80% of the country’s eco-tourism interests and up to 75% of its wildlife populations. In the LBL, women and youth have been excluded from livestock keeping activities. A Cross sectional social survey was conducted in the LBL to assess strategies and interventions that women have adopted to overcome socio-cultural and economic challenges. This was complemented with key informant interviews and focused group discussions. Our findings indicate that the perception over women participation in livestock production is slowly changing and women are increasingly getting actively involved in decision-making processes and pastoral livelihood practices. Over 70% of the respondents indicated that the 2010 Kenyan Constitution and government’s focus on gender issues. More than half of the women participate in livestock production activities including beekeeping, pasture production, and marketing of the associated products. 75% of the women-led CBOs in the LBL focus on parts of livestock value chains based on their strengths and thus remain competitive. Increased participation by women in socioeconomic activities within the LBL has been achieved through creation of awareness, building self confidence among women, educating the girl child, reducing vulnerability to violence and exploitation. We conclude that women in the LBL have demonstrated that with the necessary governance and financial support from development partners and government, women can make significant contributions to the socioeconomic development of an area.