The traditional livelihood practice of pastoralism is under threat in Turkana County in Kenya. The past decades have seen a shift in livelihood practices from pastoralism to other livelihood practices in the arid and semi-arid lands; including small-scale crop farming, small-scale businesses, charcoal burning and selling of firewood. Through the case study areas in three villages – Emeiyana, Nalemsekon and Ayanae Akunoit – in Lokichar, Turkana County, this paper analyses the role of long periods of drought and the existing state of political and socio-economic marginalization in driving livelihood changes among vulnerable pastoral communities. The study results indicate that access to water especially during periods of prolonged drought such as the recent 2020–2022 drought, is a crucial factor driving livelihood changes. The historical marginalization of the communities is found to further aggravate the situation resulting in food insecurity.