Mobile Phones in the Drylands: How Technology Supports Community Information Sharing in Rural Kenya

Mobile phone usage is widespread in rural Kenya, and digital services delivering livelihood-specific information can potentially aid development and mitigate climate impacts. However, to be embraced by individuals and communities, information should be delivered in ways that integrate with current community practices. We present an interview study with 24 community "information sharers", investigating information sharing practices and technology use within rural dryland pastoralist communities in Isiolo county. This region experiences frequent droughts exacerbated by climate change, and information regarding weather, water and climate is especially relevant. We found diverse ways in which information is obtained and shared to support dryland lives and livelihoods, with smartphones playing a prominent role. Notably, WhatsApp is widely used and integrates well with existing practices. However, inconsistency in the access and provision of information can lead to inequalities within and between communities. We offer several design recommendations for information provision systems in these settings.