Background Two research sites in different provinces of Kenya provided the context for this study. Kwale, in the Coast Province of Kenya, lies to the west of the Indian Ocean and north of the Tanzanian border. Most precipitation falls along the coastline and aridity increases as one moves away from the coast. Msambweni, the specific research site for the study is 30 km from the coastal strip. Rarely are large livestock such as cattle kept because of the lack of available pasture.
Fishing is the most common income-generating activity in the area.
Mwingi is a much drier region and is located in Kenya's Eastern Province. The people are Bantu-Kambas and are mainly agriculturists. The climate is classified as hot and dry for most parts of the year. Rainfall, again, is bimodal, with the long rains between March and May, and the short in October and November. Generally, the rainfall is below 750 mm per annum for most parts of the district and very unreliable.