Empowering Pastoralist Communities in Northern Kenya: A Story of Resilience and Transformation in Marsabit County.

In the arid landscapes of Marsabit County, Kenya, pastoral communities grapple with the harsh realities of climate change and natural disasters. Extreme weather events such as droughts and floods, result in starvation, famine, and livestock deaths, triggering inter-community conflicts and wreaking havoc on livelihoods. Forced to constantly search for food, shelter, stability and livelihood, these communities endure perpetual displacement, contributing to human trafficking. Even fish farmers in Moite Village have not escaped from all these push factors that render residents of Moite vulnerable to human trafficking.

World Vision Kenya, with support from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), is implementing the "Prevention of Trafficking in Persons" project to address the pressing issue of climate change's impact leading to human trafficking in the region. The U.S. State Department-funded "Prevention of Trafficking in Persons" project, also known as JTIP-State, has empowered fisherfolk along Lake Turkana to address the harrowing impacts of climate change and prevent human trafficking.

Collaborations between World Vision, the Marsabit County Department of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries and a local organisation Candle of Hope Foundation, are yielding results.

The project trained 120 climate-change-affected fish farmers in Moite Village in Loiyangalani Sub-County, Marsabit County, and provided them with solar coolers and fish dryers. The training was essential because its goal was to combat human trafficking by fostering economic resilience among the community’s most vulnerable individuals who are in danger of population displacement due to climate change catastrophes. The program also increased awareness of the vulnerabilities and displacement of individuals caused by climate change, which leads to Trafficking in Persons (TiP) in the community and promoted behavioural changes in these areas. By tackling the vulnerabilities resulting from the environmentally induced relocation of individuals affected by climate change, this project aims to bolster the communities and help reduce the occurrences of human trafficking in the pastoralist community.

This assistance helps fish farmers reduce losses and boost their income by enhancing their ability to process and preserve their catch efficiently. This, in turn, redefines their livelihoods and strengthens their resilience in the face of ongoing climate challenges.

Nairen Abunu, Altoar group leader in Moite Village who received support in the form of solar-powered freezers, recalls the losses his fish farming group incurred while relying on traditional fish preservation methods.

"These dryers and freezers have revolutionised the way we do fish farming," he says. "In the past, our fish would spoil quickly, but since we've gotten these kits, they can stay fresh longer, minimising losses."

By training fisherfolk in best practices and promoting the use of solar-powered coolers and heat-based dryers, this technology not only increases the shelf life of fish but also creates new market opportunities for selling fresh fish. As a result, families are now able to earn more income and build resilience against human trafficking.

The project has further empowered families to diversify their income streams, enabling them to shift away from traditional practices. With this empowerment, as well as the availability, accessibility, functionality, and quality of protection and life-saving support for Victims of Trafficking (VoT) displaced by climate change, the beneficiaries in this community are better prepared to withstand future hash climate change-induced effects and remain resilient and continue to live their normal lives in their communities, preventing person relocation, movement and trafficking.

Gabriel Mujibi, a Fisheries Officer at Kenya Fisheries Services, applauds the close partnership between the government and the project. He emphasises the benefits of the fish dryers, stating, "These dryers will help farmers dry their fish faster, prevent them from attracting dust and insects, improve fish quality, and attract more customers, ultimately fetching a higher price tag." The impact of this intervention goes beyond immediate economic benefits. Families can now earn more income, cultivate a savings culture, and build resilience against human trafficking, a problem exacerbated by climate vulnerabilities. The project's success is evident through community participants like Nairen Abunu.

He confirms the significant impact, stating, "Through this fish business and the provision of the fish dryers and coolers, we have money to take our children to school and provide for our families without much struggle." However, beneficiaries also have concerns.  They worry about potential damage to their fish dryers, crucial for their livelihoods, and suggest installing a fence for better protection.

Additionally, the groups seek further assistance in adding batteries to improve the capacity of solar-powered fish coolers, aiming to increase cooling efficiency and project sustainability in the long run.

This initiative arrives at a critical juncture as climate-related disasters have severely impacted traditional livelihoods in the community, which led to the movement of persons from one region to another thus disrupting livelihoods and resulting in vulnerable populations susceptible to human trafficking. The project works alongside communities to enable families to diversify their income streams, remain resilient and lead their normal lives whether or not they are affected by climate change disruptions that result in TiP. This shift moves them away from practices like livestock farming and towards new entrepreneurial ventures.

Lilian Chebon, Programme Officer at World Vision Kenya, highlights the project's benefits. "The interventions not only provide immediate relief but also foster long-term sustainability and resilience in the face of disasters and emergencies that prevents displacement or movement of persons in search of better livelihoods. This will not only improve fish quality but also unlock new market opportunities for the farmers and continue improving the lives of the people."

Linda Kola, the National Resilience Officer-JTIP for the International Organization for Migration, Kenya, echoes Lilian's sentiments. "The solar coolers ensure a faster drying process, allowing for a more efficient fish production cycle, selling and ultimately increasing profits and economic sustainability among community members.’’ She adds that with these efforts and support, the beneficiaries will not be prone to migration when climate change disasters strike, and this will reduce Trafficking in Persons.

The bustling activity of the fishing community, with coolers and dryers storing the day's catch, paints a picture of hope and resilience in Moite, beyond simply providing aid. This initiative is about catalyzing positive change and empowering communities to chart their own path towards a more resilient and prosperous future, ultimately preventing trafficking in persons among these pastoralist communities. Together, we are making a difference, one community at a time.

This initiative is supported by collaborative efforts from Local and national government, World Vision Kenya, Candle of Hope Foundation, the International Organization for Migration and funded by the U.S. Department of State's Trafficking in Persons (JTIP) project.

By Jared Ontobo, Emergency Communications Specialist, World Vision Kenya