The Impact of Community-Based Resource Management on Climate Security in Laikipia County, Kenya

This study assessed the impacts of community-based resource management (CBRM) on climate security in Laikipia County. It used the Common-Pool Resource theory as its theoretical framework and adopted a mixed-methods research design. In addition, the study relied exclusively on primary data gathered using questionnaires (involving 142 respondents) and key informant interviews consisting of 30 respondents. The gathered data were analyzed using content analysis. The study found that CBRM had benefits such as fostering social capital, strengthening local governance, promoting economic diversification, and integrating indigenous knowledge to enhance climate security in Laikipia County. Such benefits enable local stakeholders to develop adaptive and sustainable practices responsive to environmental changes and the region’s unique conditions. However, the study also revealed that several challenges hinder the effectiveness of CBRM initiatives. They included resource constraints, policy and institutional barriers, and insufficient access to climate data. This study concludes that CBRM represents a promising strategy for enhancing climate security in Laikipia County. The county could harness the full potential of CBRM if the aforementioned challenges are addressed.