Eco-Friendly Livestock Management Practices among Maasai Herders in Northern Kenya: A Qualitative Study

Maasai herders in northern Kenya face challenges in balancing traditional pastoral practices with environmental sustainability. An ethnographic approach was employed, involving participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions among selected herder communities in northern Kenya. Herders implemented rotational grazing as a key practice to reduce overgrazing; this method allowed for a sustainable balance between livestock productivity and ecosystem health. Eco-friendly practices such as rotational grazing are viable alternatives for Maasai herders, offering both environmental benefits and economic stability. Government policies should support the adoption of these practices through extension services and incentives.