However, even with the ongoing changes in these traditional communities, local knowledge and experiences continue to play an integral role in rural livelihoods. Local knowledge transforms as societies change, but this knowledge base is still very useful in providing initial indicators for monitoring food conditions within households and communities in semi-arid areas. Findings from ongoing research in two communities in the Kwale and Mwingi districts in Kenya are used to identify indicators that could be useful to policymakers. 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.