Effects of Water Scarcity on the Livelihoods of Rural Women in Tharaka North and Maara Sub-Counties, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya

Water is critical for rural development, poverty alleviation, and agricultural productivity. However, its availability in some regions is limited, threatening the livelihoods of millions of rural households. In Tharaka Nithi County, water scarcity undermines household welfare and perpetuates poverty by constraining agricultural production, increasing women’s workloads and reducing their economic opportunities, and eroding community resilience. This study investigated the impacts of water scarcity on women’s livelihoods in Tharaka North and Maara Sub-Counties, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. Data were collected between May and August 2023, during the long dry season when water shortages are most acute. A total of 313 respondents were surveyed, 113 from Tharaka North Sub-County and 200 from Maara Sub-County. Focus group discussions, key informant interviews, direct field observations, and GIS mapping of water sources were also carried out. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS 26, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. It was established that water scarcity led to decreased income (Tharaka North: χ2 = 32.35, p < 0.05; Maara: χ2 = 41.95, p < 0.05) and reduced agricultural productivity and income opportunities (Tharaka North: χ² = 32.35, p < 0.05; Maara: χ² = 41.95, p < 0.05). Women face increased burden in water collection, reduced time for productive and educational activities, compromised health, and diminished resilience to climate shocks. The study concludes that water scarcity in Tharaka Nithi County is both an environmental challenge and a driver of entrenched poverty and gender inequality. Integrated interventions, such as investment in climate-resilient water infrastructure, community-based water management, poverty reduction programs, and dismantling of cultural barriers that limit women’s agency, could help fix the issue. Strengthening women’s participation in water governance and promoting affordable technologies like sand dams, aquifer recharge, and household water storage systems are essential steps toward equitable and sustainable water access