Livestock versus Wildlife Ranching in Kenyan Rangelands: A Case Study of Laikipia District Ranches

Abstract

Past research has shown that livestock ranching per se has failed to sustain economic development in Laikipia district. Exploratory study results of livestock-wildlife mixed ranching in the district over the last two years are discussed. The results reveal a web of interactive factors involving land tenur, livestock development, disease control, marketing and environmental conservation that need to be considered if the newly emerging mixed -livestock ranching system can be feasible. Failure to consider this web of interactions has contributed to constraints in the efforts to develop a viable livestock –wildlife mixed ranching system. Attempts that could lead to amelioration of these constraints are suggested in this paper. The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 27 2004: pp. 24-30