IIndigenous knowledge for Climate-Related early warning impact mitigation and disaster preparedness in Lower Nyando Basin, Kenya

Abstract

Climate-related indigenous knowledge is essential as an early warning for mitigation of climate change impacts and for disaster preparedness. Whereas the knowledge is with the community, it is hardly disseminated due to lack of proper documentation and recognition of the same. The goal of this study conducted in Nyando Basin, Kisumu County, Kenya (where native populations are perennially vulnerable to climate variability) was to find out how indigenous knowledge could be harnessed to address persistent climaterelated challenges. Descriptive data was collected using observable early warning weather indicators linked to behavior of plants, animals, meteorological elements, celestial bodies and humans. A sample of 359 household heads was obtained by randomized purposive sampling from a population of over 10,000 farmers. Hypothesis testing was done using χ2 at 0.05 level of confidence. Triangulation was done by focus group discussions and key informants. Observed climate-related impacts in the last 30 years included increasing desertification (61.8 %), soil erosion (68.0 %), reduced soil moisture (80.2%) and increased weeds (82.2%). The impact of climate change on farming communities in terms of quantity, distribution and quality of livestock product and the quantity, distribution and quality of crop product. The length of rainy season was decreasing with a resultant effect on longer dry periods (p (χ2=83.333, df 19) = 0.042 at α 0.05). Climate change resulted to decrease in quantity, quality and distribution of livestock products as well as crop products. A significant relationship was observed between the production of maize and poverty level and also food security (F-value of 6.855 and pvalue of 0.000) at α 0.05. Proper documentation of knowledge base for predicting climate and weather events based on observations of animals, plants and celestial bodies would be handy to enhance community resilience to climate change.