DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2016.v04i05.017

Pages: 583-592

The study sought to investigate the adoption of rainwater harvesting technologies (RWHT) as an adaptation strategy to climate variability in Baringo County, Kenya. The study employed a descriptive survey design. Purposeful sampling and stratified proportionate random sampling procedures were used to obtain the sample. The respondents comprised of 376 households. Questionnaire, key informant interview schedule and observations were the main instruments of data collection. Analysis of data was done using the SPSS. Adoption was measured by calculating percentage of adopters. The results showed, about half (50 %) of the households in Baringo County adopted rainwater harvesting technologies in their households with storage tanks being the most widely practiced technique. However, many households use tanks with a capacity of between 200 and 500 liters which cannot hold enough water throughout the year. There is slow adoption of RWHT in Baringo County irrespective of their potential to improve household access to water. Half of the households do not use the technology due to lack of adequate rainwater harvesting structures and interest. Therefore, improvement of the existing rain water harvesting techniques which are already practiced will be of great advantage to the residents and can also promote wide adaptability. To promote interest in RWHT, residents should be sensitized on the potential socioeconomic benefits of adopting them.