The Impact of Water Conflicts on Pastoral Livelihoods

This report analyzes the relationship between water-resource conflicts and pastoral livelihoods in Wajir District, Kenya. It examines how competition for limited water sources, particularly during dry seasons, leads to violent conflicts that divert time and resources away from basic needs, thereby undermining the socio-economic stability of pastoralist communities.

• Water is the primary determinant of pastoralist success and settlement patterns in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs). During dry seasons, the disappearance of temporary water sources forces a reliance on boreholes, leading to an over-concentration of people and livestock that triggers competition and conflict.
• Water-related conflicts have severe negative impacts on household assets and basic services. Specifically, the study found that conflicts result in reduced access to food (69%), interruptions in trade (63%), interruptions in education (61%), and reduced access to health care services (59%).
• Conflicts significantly disrupt education and health care. Insecurity prevents 86% of students and teachers from attending school, and 69% of older students abandon school to participate in fighting. Additionally, 99% of respondents reported that insecurity and water scarcity lead to the closure of health facilities.
• Managing water conflicts consumes a disproportionate amount of time and labor, which is critical for pastoral survival. On average, it takes five weeks to resolve a conflict through negotiation; if that fails, an additional five weeks of fighting may occur, totaling 10 weeks of lost productivity.
• Insecurity restricts the mobility and economic activity of pastoralists. 81% of respondents reported that water conflicts lead to physical insecurity, which hinders access to grazing and watering points. Furthermore, 96% of respondents noted that livestock are stolen and stable markets are unavailable during these periods.
• The transition from traditional clan-based water management to modern systems has been problematic. Top-down government policies and the abrupt handover of boreholes to communities without proper orientation weakened internal leadership and disrupted ecological balances, contributing to increased vulnerability and conflict.

APA

Omosa, E. K. (2005). The Impact of Water Conflicts on Pastoral Livelihoods. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/security_pastoral_water_impacts.pdf

Chicago

Omosa, Eileen K. The Impact of Water Conflicts on Pastoral Livelihoods. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2005. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/security_pastoral_water_impacts.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Omosa |first1=Eileen K. |title=The Impact of Water Conflicts on Pastoral Livelihoods |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=August 2005 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/security_pastoral_water_impacts.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{omosa2005impact, author = {Omosa, Eileen K.}, title = {{The Impact of Water Conflicts on Pastoral Livelihoods}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2005}, month = aug, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/security_pastoral_water_impacts.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }