Exploring the Latent Roles of Indigenous Chickens among Rural Households in Kericho County, Kenya: A Grounded Theory Approach

Abstract

Chickens are the most popular poultry worldwide. About 23.7 billion chickens globally in 2018 were reared mainly for their eggs and meat products. Indigenous chickens in Kenya constitute about 70% of the poultry population. Their role in rural livelihoods is widely understood in terms of provisioning for nutrition and household income. This study aimed to investigate, through a community-based participatory process, the latent roles of indigenous chicken (IC) in the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in rural areas of Kericho County, Kenya. This study adopted a Grounded Theory Approach and a Communitybased Participatory action research design. Six sites in three out of six subcounties were selected for the study based on their agroecological zones and administrative locations. Data were collected through focus group discussions and interviews. Community-based participatory action research tools; focus groups, resource mapping, role plays, and community workshops, were used to encourage participation and knowledge sharing. Data were collected through note-taking and group presentations. The data were analyzed using the grounded theory constant comparative method. Analysis revealed that the higher order concepts and theories that could explain the latent roles of indigenous chickens were1insurance against shocks, 2marketness; sales for income, 3instrumentalism; as an instrument for personal motivations, 4ecological functions and5immanent roles; to utilize existing resources and capabilities. It has roles as a socio-economic 6ladder-of-change, contributes to 7household functionalism by engaging youth and women and household 8dietary needs, and social roles in 9interpersonal connectedness. In conclusion, indigenous chickens had roles in the economy, ecology, socio-culture and food supplies. This understanding has implications in formulating strategies by development agents, for sustainable IC production. Further research in different contexts to build on the in-depth understanding of the IC roles is recommended.