Asset building through community participation: restocking pastoralists following drought in northern Kenya

Restocking has conventionally been viewed as a short-term relief or recovery intervention initiated by development agencies for the benefit of destitute pastoralists. In contrast, this case study discusses a community-initiated and -organized restocking strategy to alleviate poverty with support from a development agency. The case study outlines the process that occurred in the Samburu district of northern Kenya through which a number of communities designed restocking programs to meet their perceived needs. It presents results of the program, constraints, and contrasts with more conventional restocking approaches. This study shows the potential for asset-building approaches in the African context and the synergistic effects of linking local cultural traditions with participatory development approaches.