Effects of Colonial Policies on Pastoralism among the Pokot Community of Kenya, 1920-1963

Extensive parts of African lands can support pastoralism due to vastness of land and aridity. Pastoralism is an economic activity in which people make a living by tending large number of livestock. This paper analyzes the effects of Colonial Policies on Pastoralism among the Pokot community of Kenya, 1920-1963. The overall objective of this study was to give an account on how colonial policies affected the practice of pastoralism among the Pokot pastoralists. The study utilized a descriptive research design. Purposive and snowball sampling methods were used to select participants in the study. The researcher targeted the entire Pokot pastoralist community and sampled knowledgeable people to inform the study. The researcher collected primary data from the Kenya National Archives in Nairobi, and also from eight participants during interview. The study relied heavily on the archival information. Secondary data was collected from institutional libraries and from the internet. The findings of the study revealed that, the British colonial government introduced taxation that affected the practice and development of pastoralism among the Pokot community. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations are made that: the policymakers should formulate workable policies that can sustainably encourage livestock development in all seasons, to reduce nomadic pastoral mobility; in the event that pastoralists move with their children, there should be enough mobile schools to help the children learn; and, pastoralists should be provided with enhanced marketing strategies to reduce economic loss of livestock during drought. The researcher posits that, a further study be conducted that would investigate policy gaps that govern livestock keeping and pastoralism among the Pokot community.