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In studies of pastoralism, the concept of resilience has normally been applied to the analyses of post-shock recoveries ('bounce backs') within an ecological framework and and limited time and spatial perspectives. When temporal and spatial parameters are relaxed to span multiple decades and geographies with widespread social changes and numerous shocks and recovery periods, understanding what resilience for pastoralists should look like is exceedingly complex and challenging. This article examines livelihood and asset diversi fication among Il Chamus of Baringo County, Kenya over a 35+ year period (1980--2018) in the context of significant changes. It suggests that 'successful resilience' among pastoralists involves much more than the continuity of a pastoralist livelihood in a particular place. By addressing diversification trends among households both in towns and rural spaces, the study shows that both better-off and poor households pursue non-pastoral strategies and assets, and that livestock remains an important real and symbolic form of capital even for those who work in towns. Finally, the article concludes that studies of pastoralist resilience should consider long-term continuities and changes associated with market expansion and the strengthening of rural--town linkages, in order to understand how pastoral livelihoods evolve not just in response to short-term shocks but also to challenges and opportunities that wider socio-economic changes present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses the urgency of humanitarian in Somalia. He is critical on the invasion made by Kenya in southern Somalia which adds complexity on the humanitarian crisis faced by Somalis. He also discusses the collapse of Somali, rallying by Somalis against Ethiopian occupation and the increasing number of al-Shabaab supporters, and Somali kidnappings of a French tourist in Kenya.

Why did violence erupt in Kenya after the 2007 elections? This article summarizes proceedings from a roundtable session, held at the 2008 American Anthropological Association Annual Meeting, devoted to this question. Each participant in the roundtable has been involved in Kenya for many years, and their active fieldwork agendas span the country. Together, they discuss how beliefs and values about land, identity, and governance have fueled rationalizations for the postelection violence as well as inspired agendas for reform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding and alleviating poverty in Africa continues to receive considerable attention from a range of diverse actors, including politicians, international celebrities, academics, activists and practitioners. Despite the onslaught of interest, there is surprisingly little agreement on what constitutes poverty in rural Africa, how it should be assessed, and what should be done to alleviate it. Based on data from an interdisciplinary study of pastoralism in northern Kenya, this article examines issues of poverty among one of the continent's most vulnerable groups, pastoralists, and challenges the application of such orthodox proxies as incomes/expenditures, geographic remoteness, and market integration. It argues that current poverty debates ‘homogenize’ the concept of ‘pastoralist’ by failing to acknowledge the diverse livelihoods and wealth differentiation that fall under the term. The article concludes that what is not needed is another development label (stereotype) that equates pastoralism with poverty, thereby empowering outside interests to transform rather than strengthen pastoral livelihoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]