DYNAMICS OF POVERTY, LIVELIHOODS AND PROPERTY RIGHTS IN THE LOWER NYANDO BASIN OF KENYA

Data from 14 villages representing contrasting circumstances around the Lower Nyando basin in Kenya indicate that the incidence of poverty is higher in the flood plain than in the other parts of the basin. Over the last ten years, poverty has risen significantly in an area controlled by the National Irrigation Board (NIB), increased slowly in smallholder mixed farming areas, and remained relatively stable in areas supported by the Provincial Irrigation Unit (PIU). Reasons for these trends are discussed, and are linked to factors including land tenure and forms of external support. Customary gender biases against women are also exacerbated in the irrigation schemes. As it plans a revitalization of the irrigation sector under the new Water Act of 2002, the government should consider organisational arrangements that will provide women and men farmers with suitable services without compromising their discretion over land and water use.