EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON HOUSEHOLD LIVELIHOODS IN RONGAI SUB-COUNTY, NAKURU COUNTY

Abstract

The researcher aimed to explore the influence of change in climate on sustainable livelihoods among households in the Rongai Sub-county. Specifically, the study sought to examine the consequence of changing seasons and rainfall patterns, food insecurity, water scarcity, and infectious disease patterns on sustainable livelihoods among households in Rongai Sub-county. The study was based on entitlement theory and resilience theory. It adopted a descriptive survey research design and targeted 52,248 households in the Rongai Sub-county. Fisher’s formula was used to obtain the sample size of 96 respondents. Stratified random sampling was employed to select respondents, where each of the five wards in Rongai Sub-county represented a stratum. A questionnaire was used to collect data, and the instrument was piloted in Njoro Sub-county. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 25 statistical software. The analysis utilized descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies and percentages. The extracted data were quantitative and presented in tables for ease of interpretation. The answers directed that a substantial majority of respondents have observed changes in seasons and rainfall patterns in Rongai Sub-County. The findings reveal that water scarcity is a pressing concern for households in Rongai Sub-County, with a significant most reporting it as a problem. The study in Rongai Sub-County found that 78.3% of respondents recognized changes in seasons and rainfall patterns, significantly impacting livelihoods and revealing a strong positive correlation (r = 0.751; p < 0.05) between these changes and sustainable livelihoods. The findings in revealed that 66.3% of households experience food insecurity, significantly impacting livelihoods, with a significant positive correlation (r = 0.672; p < 0.05) between food insecurity and sustainable livelihoods. The findings also indicated that 72.3% of households face significant water scarcity challenges, adversely affecting livelihoods, health, and agricultural productivity, with a strong positive significant correlation (r = 0.672; p < 0.05) between water scarcity and sustainable livelihoods. Finally, the findings in Rongai Sub-County reveal that 67% of households have observed significant changes in infectious disease patterns, which negatively impact livelihoods and productivity, with a positive correlation (r = 0.604; p < 0.05) between infectious disease patterns and sustainable livelihoods. The study concluded that changing seasons and rainfall patterns, food insecurity, water scarcity and infectious disease patterns had an effect on sustainable livelihoods among households .The study recommended that to address the impacts of changing seasons on sustainable livelihoods in Nakuru County, it is crucial for local governments and policymakers to implement adaptive strategies that enhance community resilience.