Kenya's Masai traditions threatened by climate change

Kenyatta Mpesi, 44, has nine children, two wives and 50 cows. He is Masai and pastoralist. 'We had a lot of rain before but now we have a short rain. In March it only rains for two weeks. Sometimes it rains for two or three weeks. Before the grass comes the drought comes again so we lose a lot of animals through that. Before you get the next multiplication in cattle the drought comes and they die. We are affected by the drought because the less cows, the less children can go to school. It costs 60,000 shillings a year to go to school so children are unable to go to school. I would send my son to school if I had more cows. My son is sad because the rest come home from school. He sees them looking at books. I get sad as his father because I don’t have the strength or money to take him to school.' Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Oxfam

Kenyatta's second wife, Sanjan, 25, goes to milk the cows Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Oxfam

Kenyatta's youngest son, Pasua, who is 18 months old, plays with the cows Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Oxfam

Seven-year-old Pirainoi Simantoi Tirike, daughter of Simantoi Tirike, 50, a farmer Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Oxfam

Albert Mkatia, 9, is being paid by Kenyatta to look after the cows. The money he earns helps to send his brother to school. Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Oxfam

Kenyatta's son Kereku, 14, hopes to follow in his father's footsteps. He is leading the cattle to the grazing areas. Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Oxfam

Isaac Mkalia, 20, a teacher, checks his mobile phone. Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Oxfam

Kenyatta with his wives. Right to left: first wife, Tenu; second wife, Sanjan Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Oxfam

Simantoi Tirike, 50, is also a Masai. Because of climate change she switched from cattle herding to farming. Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Oxfam

Orumoi Ole Nganga, 76, sits with two of his grandchildren. Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Oxfam

Fatuma Musa, 40, is a farmer. She has six children, 30 cows and 10 goats. She grows bananas, aubergines, beans, sugar cane and mangos. Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Oxfam