Social Aspects of Dynamic Poverty

Traps

Cases from Vihiga, Baringo and Marsabit Districts, Kenya

Nelson Mango, Wesley Ongadi, Gatarwa Kariuki, & Josephat

Cheng’ole

Research TeamNelson Mango (ILRI), Gatarwa Kariuki

(KARI), Josephat Cheng’ole (KARI), Wesley Ongadi (ICRAF/KEFRI)

Willis Oluoch K’Osura (UoN), Frank Place(ICRAF), Festus Murithi (KARI) Justin Wangila (ICRAF)

Supported by:IDRC (Canada), BASIS/CRSP (USAID)

Objectives

1. To characterize, identify, and analyze dynamic poverty processes using social and historical methods – By paying particular attention to

changes in natural capital and human welfare dynamics

Objectives cont….

2. To identify existing and potential strategies for households to escape poverty traps and to understand the constraints in employing them.

The research areas Vihiga district - Madzuu (Mungoma)

location Baringo district - Ng’ambo location Marsabit district - Dirib Gombo

location:

%%

%

%

Kis umu

NAIRO BI

Isiolo

Momb as a

% people living below povertyline

> 7060-7050-6040-5030-4020-30< 20

LEGEND

N

N

5 0 5 10 15 Km

Mungoma

High potential agricultural zoneRainfall:1800mm-2000mmPop. Density 800-1100/km squareAv. Land sizes ½ ha per HH25-29% HIV/AIDS prevalenceEthnicity: Maragolis

Source: CBS, ILRI, 2003

%%

%

%

Kis umu

NAIRO BI

Isiolo

Momb as a

% people living below povertyline

> 7060-7050-6040-5030-4020-30< 20

N

N

Ng'ambo

LEGEND

10 0 10 20 Km

Low agricultural potential zoneLow rainfall amounts per year50-55mm monthlyPop. Density 76/km squareEcon. Activity Livestock KeepingEthnicity: IlchamusOver 70% of the people are poor

Source: CBS, ILRI, 2003

%%

%

%

Kis umu

NAIRO BI

Isiolo

Momb as a

N

N

10 0 10 20 Km

% people living below povertyline

> 7060-7050-6040-5030-4020-30< 20

LEGEND

Dirib Gombo

Low Potential agricultural zoneLow amounts of rainfallPop. Density 38/km squareEcon. activity: Keeping livestockEthnicity: Boran (pastoralists) Burji (Mixed farmers)50-60% people are poor

Source: CBS, ILRI, 2003

Research Methodology The overall approach to the research

was qualitative Three step approach

– Community level workshop– Case studies (Sampling & Techniques)– Interviews with key informants

Community level workshop

PRA tools that were used included

1. Presentations and focused group discussions

2. Subgroup discussions and presentations

3. Historical timelines

Workshop Cont….

4. Seasonal calendars

5. Problem analysis

6. Problem trend lines

7. Wealth ranking and wellbeing analysis

Case studies (sampling) Purposive sampling technique

1. Poor – nonpoor

2. Nonpoor – poor

3. Poor – poor

- increase

- decrease - no change

Sampling Cont….

4. Nonpoor – Nonpoor

- increase

- decrease

- no change

Case studies (Techniques)

Ethnography Critical events Life histories Listening to people’s narratives Participant Observation Oral histories

Key Informants Ethnography Oral History Reading of Texts

Poverty Lines Heavily indebted, poor housing, poor clothing,

<3 meals/day, uncared for children and poor health (combined) (Vihiga).

Have <5 cattle, <5 goats and 5 sheep combined (Baringo).

Have <8 cattle, <4 acres of land and no oxen to plough (combined) (Marsabit).

     

Reasons for escape from poverty

Education Getting a well paying job in public or

private sector Diversification in on-farm and off-farm

activities Having a wider social network (clan

support, farmer groups etc)

Reasons for remaining Non-poor

Coming from a wealthy and stable family background

Self discipline (ability to control finances)

Ability to manage terror in the village (Vihiga)

Other reasons similar to those for escape from poverty

Reasons for falling into poverty

Death of major income earner Poor health and health related

expenses Heavy funeral expenses Lose of employment Reducing land sizes per household

including grazing land

Falling cont……. Unproductive land Increased dependencies (large family size) Frequent droughts and floods (Marsabit &

Baringo)

Reasons for remaining poor

Coming from a poor background Low levels of education and wrong

mentality Having very small unproductive land

Remaining poor cont….. Landlessness and lack of resources Over reliance on livestock (Marsabit &

Baringo) Other reasons similar to those for

falling into poverty

Lessons learnt Those who managed to escape from

poverty and the non-poor tended to take care of the environment.

Reasons for falling into poverty tended to be different from reasons for escape from poverty

Human and social capital were determining factors in falling into poverty, escaping from poverty, remaining non-poor or poor

Reflection on the research methods

Ethnography is a powerful tool for penetrating the society

Community level workshops brought people together to discuss with researchers their own situation.

First hand information generated remained with them

Other useful qualitative research techniques include extended situational analysis, genealogies etc.)