In northern Kenya, economic life is undergoing a quiet but significant transformation driven by systems supported by the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) that are helping communities move from vulnerability to resilience.
For years, livelihoods in the region were largely dependent on livestock and rainfall. When drought came, options were limited. But today, communities are diversifying their economic activities, building new pathways that extend beyond traditional systems.
This shift is not accidental. Through its Mashinani WORKS platform, NRT is supporting skills development, enterprise growth, and financial literacy equipping communities with the tools to adapt to changing conditions.
“We are seeing a transition from dependency to capability,” says Moses Wakhisi. “NRT’s role is to support systems that allow communities to build their own economic resilience.”
The change is visible at the individual level.Young people are training in trades such as construction, mechanics, and tailoring. Women are expanding small businesses, particularly in beadwork and artisanal production. These activities are creating new income streams that complement traditional livelihoods.
“I used to rely only on livestock,” says a trainee in Samburu. “Now I have skills. Even when there is drought, I can still earn.”
This diversification is critical in a climate-affected landscape.
By building multiple income streams, communities are reducing their vulnerability to environmental shocks. At the same time, economic activities are being integrated with other systems—water access, rangeland management, and governance—ensuring that growth is sustainable.
Women’s participation is a key component. Through programmes supported by NRT, women are not only generating income but also strengthening social networks and increasing financial independence.
“When women earn, the whole household changes,” Wakhisi notes. “It is not just economic it is structural.”
Across northern Kenya, the economy is evolving.
What was once defined by survival is increasingly characterised by adaptability. And through systems supported by Northern Rangelands Trust, communities are building a more resilient economic future.
