Livelihood Vulnerability Assessment in Context of Drought Hazard: A Case Study of Baringo County, Kenya

This study was undertaken in arid and semi-arid county of Baringo which is prone to perennial droughts, with the majority of its population affected by the recurrent. The primary objective of this research is to assess population vulnerability to potential drought risk. The vulnerability assessment was based on 2009 socio-economic data variables. The population vulnerability was processed using poverty rates, population density, and livelihoods. An analytical hierarchy process criterion was used in determining vulnerability using the three socioeconomic variables. The vulnerability analysis results indicate that, 27.87% of the marginal livelihood and 25.62% pastoral livelihood are highly vulnerable. In conclusion, marginal, pastoral, and agro-pastoral livelihoods are highly vulnerable to drought hazard with its population capacities undermined by high poverty rates; in this respect government should promote poverty reduction projects and improved markets infrastructure and access.