Abstract
Kenya has annual per capita renewable freshwater estimated at 650 m3. Northern Arid and Semi-Arid Lands has lower renewable freshwater, due to erratic rainfall patterns and recurring droughts. This thesis has two sections. First concerns the impact of a new water policy under implementation since 2003. Despite its short existence, of interest is its impact on the pastoral communities in northern Kenya. This paper is based on reports by governmental and non-governmental implementation agents, the Water Act, and personal experiences. It examines strengths and weakness of old and new water policies, and explores effects of new policy on pastoralists in northern Kenya. Second is about drought characteristics and trends in northern Kenya. The study used Mann-Kendall trend test and Standard Precipitation Index. The result indicate no change in trends and moderate to severe meteorological drought occurrence between 5 to 8 years.