Maralal Diocese Integrated Livelihoods and Peace Building Programme The Catholic Diocese of Maralal covers the administrative County of Samburu, an area of 21,000 Sq.km with three livelihood  zones of Pastoral in lowland areas, (80% of the total population), Agro-pastoral in highland areas, Urban and sub-urban areas. Samburu county is a remote and marginalized from mainstream development and lacks basic infrastructure, for example, roads, communication infrastructure and water facilities. Water facilities are inadequately developed and spatially far apart. Livestock markets are generally few in remote areas, hence over-supplied with livestock for sale, resulting in very low prices for livestock. Extension services for livestock production are lacking,  Livestock diseases are prevalent with frequent outbreaks, of foot and mouth disease, contagious caprine preneumonia (CCPP), east coast fever (ECF) and infestation of parasites.

The County is classified as arid and semi-arid and is affected by frequent droughts which have become more severe in recent years due to climate change. These droughts have devastating effects on Pastoralist's livelihoods (livestock) and food security as they cause livestock losses, and subsequent food insecurity.  Cattle are particularly badly affected by drought compared to small livestock as natural resources like pasture and water deteriorate during droughts. As a result, the communities are periodically dependant on food aid. The problem is made worse by communities’ reliance on a single source of livelihood (livestock), as they lack alternative sources of income mainly due to high rates of illiteracy and unemployment. Lack of alternative sources of livelihoods forces communities to turn to charcoal burning as a coping mechanism, which in itself leads to environmental degradation. Further, local breeds of livestock produce low yields of milk and have small body size and they are often unattractive in the competitive markets.

Samburu County is also affected by inter-community conflict mainly resulting from cattle raids and struggle over access to natural resources like pasture and water for livestock during drought. However, there are  other  factors  to conflict,  political  instigation on ethnic  grounds,  inadequate participation and representation of social, economic and political minorities in development initiatives, events and forums. Influx of small arms and light weapons due to civil strife in the neighbouring countries of Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and Northern Uganda, porous borders and Inadequate legal and institutional framework to deal with conflicts internally.

It is important to note that the above factors interact in such a way that behind any conflict, there are other underlying, unresolved or related issues, which would need to be understood before amicable solutions can be reached. The conflicts in the region have, therefore, handicapped the livelihoods of the communities subjecting them to endemic poverty.

This is cycle 3 Integrated livelihoods and peace project for three years 2012 -2014. The  project  seeks to enhance house hold food security through increased incomes, seeks to enhance communities  capacities  for  peace  and  conflict  transformation.  The project has   livelihoods and peace building activities that are complementary.

The target areas are Wamba, Maralal and Baragoi zones. The 14 Parishes of the Diocese provide structures at the grassroots level through which spiritual as well as development activities of communities are implemented. The project will utilise a combination of activities including a baseline survey, capacity building of farmers on modern farming technology, introduction of drought resistant crops, and income generation activities. To support harmonious co-existence the project will support local justice and peace structures on early warning signs, empower the community to participate and engage in development activities that include resident associations, governance and training forums, and media advocacy amongst others. The  project  will  seek  to  have  coordinated  interventions  by  peace  actors  for  sustainability and  bigger  impact.

The total budget  for  project this will be  80,000 per  year  for three  years.  Whereas peace building activities will target the larger population, the project will reach a total of 805 households: 225 (organized into 10 groups) with IGAs, 430 with crop farming, 100 households with Dairy Goats and 50 with bucks for cross breeding.