IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE VARIABILITY ON LIVESDTOCK HEALTH IN ARID AND SEMI ARID LAND IN KENYA A CRITICAL LITERATURE REVIEW A LITERATURE REVIEW

Purpose: Livestock plays a critical role in the livelihood of the pastoralists who inhabit the arid and semi- arid lands (ASAL) areas of Kenya. ASALs experiences erratic and unreliable rainfall that is normally interspersed by long and frequent droughts. Loss of dependable livelihood assets impoverishes the communities in ASALs areas and exposes them to the vagaries of food insecurity. The main objective of this study is to establish the impacts of climate variability on livestock health in ASALs. Methodology: The paper used a desk study review methodology where relevant empirical literature was reviewed to identify main themes and to extract knowledge gaps. Results: Climate change in ASALs is positively and significantly related to the occurrence of livestock diseases. Significance variations in certain weather elements may have modified the ecosystems of the diseases causing an increase in pathogens and vectors populations. Unique Contribution to Theory and Practice: An early warning system, extension education, strategic disease management interventions, water provision and establishing a national pasture reserve for the pastoralists in ASALs in severe drought periods are ways in which cases of livestock diseases can be reduced.