Participants of the LAMA training
By Ezekiel Gogo and Florence Onyango
In a major step toward enhancing climate adaptation research, the Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN), Grassroot Impact Centre (GIC), and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) successfully concluded a three-day intensive training workshop. Held from February 26 to 28, 2025, at MMUST in Kakamega, Kenya, the workshop equipped research assistants with advanced digital data collection skills under the Locally Led Adaptation Metrics for Africa (LAMA) project.
Research assistants from Kisumu, Nandi, and Vihiga counties, alongside experts from ARIN, GIC, and MMUST, participated in the training, which focused on the use of the KOBO toolkit for digital data collection, research ethics, safeguarding protocols, and data collection methodologies. Through mock interviews and hands-on exercises, participants gained practical experience to ensure data accuracy and reliability in fieldwork.
The LAMA project aims to strengthen evidence-based climate adaptation strategies within the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) by capturing impact stories from small-scale farmers and addressing vulnerability through empirical research. Expert-led sessions covered key topics, including research ethics, safeguarding, and the LAMA project’s objectives. Facilitators emphasized the importance of informed consent, confidentiality, and responsible data handling, ensuring that research assistants adhered to the highest ethical standards. The training also underscored the need for local relevance, incorporating translation of questionnaires into local dialects and a deeper understanding of socio-economic and environmental factors affecting study populations.
The workshop was officially opened by Prof. Peter Bukhala, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor, Planning, Research, and Innovation (PRI) at MMUST. Key facilitators included Dr. Joanes Atela, Executive Director of ARIN and Principal Investigator of the LAMA project, Dr. Kaleb Mwendwa, Dr. Humphrey Agevi, Ms. Edna Kowenje, Prof. Osamba, and Mr. Ezekiel Gogo.
“Capturing the impact stories of small-scale farmers is essential for shaping climate adaptation and resilience strategies,” said Dr. Joanes Atela. “By understanding the socio-economic and environmental factors influencing vulnerability, we can develop more effective, locally led adaptation measures.”
Following the workshop, research assistants will now begin field data collection, applying their newly acquired skills to gather critical information that will inform locally led climate adaptation efforts across Africa. This initiative highlights the importance of community-centered data in shaping effective and sustainable responses to climate change.
@ARIN Press 2025