Over several months in 2024, a Project Implementation Committee made up of community members—including women, elders, youth, and persons with disabilities—worked alongside EIWEN to collect stories, data, and traditional knowledge. The process combined household surveys, participatory mapping, interviews, and community gatherings to document both material losses—such as 3,000 acres of grazing and farming land, livestock, and vital infrastructure—and non-material losses, including sacred shrines, traditional medicinal plants, and cultural rites central to Endorois identity.
Technical Information on the Process
Research focus
The research examined the relationship between climate change and the rising water levels of Lake Bogoria, documenting their ecological, cultural, health, and livelihood impacts on the Endorois community.
Key findings
- Loss of more than 3,000 acres of farmland and grazing land.
- Displacement of 418 households.
- Destruction of sacred sites and loss of traditional medicinal plants, including Tankartwee, Parmukute, Asubweh, Arweh, and Muchukwe.
- Contamination of water sources, increasing the risk of diseases such as cholera and dysentery.
- Severe disruption of agricultural activities, leading to food shortages and loss of income.
Community participation and methodology
The process included interviews, household surveys, participatory mapping, and focus group discussions with women, elders, youth, and persons with disabilities. Traditional knowledge was integrated to identify environmental changes, design adaptation strategies, and validate the data.
Challenges and lessons learned
The research faced limited historical data on the Endorois and their environment, intergenerational language barriers, and challenges in ensuring full participation across community segments. Despite these, the process strengthened community capacity, sparked youth interest in preserving traditional knowledge, and built trust for future collective action.
