In Kenya’s drylands, Maasai herders confront the realities of climate change every day. An NMBU project has gathered their photos and stories to offer an unfiltered view from the frontline.
There are communities of people in Kenya's drylands whose livelihoods depend on herding livestock. These Maasai pastoralists rely directly on the land, often moving across the landscape in search of water and grazing areas for their animals.
For them, the effects of climate change such as shifting rainfall patterns and rising temperatures, are felt immediately.
At the same time, they face rapid changes in how land is used, growing economic pressures, and urbanization. Together, these forces are transforming how they live and work.
In this booklet, Maasai people share their experiences directly, through their own photographs and stories.
These images and words were gathered during a PhD project at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences and are now published under the COLOCAL research project. The project works to strengthen the capacity of universities in the Global South to support climate change adaptation through education and research.
This way of presenting the everyday reality of people on the frontline of climate Instead of abstract analysis, this approach highlights the lived experiences of people on the frontline of climate change - voices that are often overlooked.
We see not only the challenges they face, but also the knowledge, resilience, and creativity they draw on to navigate them.
By listening to these perspectives, we gain a deeper and more grounded understanding of what it means to live with climate change.
The booklet is edited and designed by Edwige Marty, Winfred Lipina Koinet, Matthew Cashmore and Todd A. Crane. The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) hold joint copyright of all content.
Read the booklet:
The United Nations has declared 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026). During April, IYRP 2026 focuses on the theme of climate change and resilience.