Abstract
Abstract—This trans-boundary study examined the vulnerabilities, risks, and adaptive responses of Maasai pastoralists in Kenya and Tanzania, focusing on their capacity to address climate-related challenges. Using secondary data from scholarly research, climate reports, and policy documents, this study analysed the environmental, socioeconomic, and policy contexts influencing the Maasai's adaptation to climate change. The findings revealed significant threats, including livestock mortality, diminishing grazing lands, and water scarcity, which jeopardised their primary livelihoods. Factors, such as resource competition, population growth, and limited market accessibility, exacerbate these risks. This study reveals the traditional adaptive strategies employed by the Maasai, including migration, livestock diversification, and reliance on indigenous knowledge. However, increasing climate impacts such as prolonged droughts and unpredictable rainfall have challenged these established coping mechanisms. As climate variability increases, these approaches become insufficient, thus necessitating the implementation of comprehensive adaptive measures. This study underscores the necessity for enhanced transboundary cooperation between Kenya and Tanzania to address the shared climate-related risks. Managing cross-border resources, including water and pastures, is essential to the long-term resilience of Maasai communities. This study advocates integrating climate information into policy frameworks, establishing early warning systems, and promoting climate-smart agriculture to diversify livelihoods and enhance food security. This study highlights the importance of an inclusive approach that integrates traditional Maasai knowledge with modern scientific solutions. Strengthening local institutions, fostering climate resilience through education, and ensuring access to equitable resources are crucial to empowering Maasai communities to adapt to climate change. This study offers insights for policymakers and climate adaptation stakeholders by focusing on the pastoralist communities in East Africa.