The livestock sector plays a significant role in boosting the economies of low-developing nations. However, pastoral communities in these countries face disproportionate challenges to climate change, especially prolonged droughts and erratic rains, compromising their adaptive capacity. This paper holistically analyzes existing pastoralists’ adaptation strategies in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) region of Kenya and the challenges that limit them from adapting effectively to drought. The study utilized a systematic review approach to extensively analyze information from existing literature and empirical research to identify existing pastoralists adaptation strategies in the ASAL and knowledge gaps to effectively adapting to drought. The review comprised a systematic search of relevant scholarly articles published between 2013 and mid-2024 using search engines; Google Scholar, Science Direct, Research Gate, Google Search Engine, and Governmental and Non-Government Organizations’ websites and other platforms such as Scopus, Web of Science, and the Scientific Electronic Library Online (ScIELO). Results from both researches showed that most pastoralists were diversifying their livestock to more drought-resilient ones as well as adopting more water conservation techniques such as construction of water storage structures and rainwater harvesting as the principal adaptation strategies to drought. Other adaptation measures identified included destocking, mobility, training, and livelihood diversification. Educating children was less regarded by the pastoralist communities as an adaptation strategy. Insufficient incomes and insecurity were identified as the major challenges to adaptation to drought. Other challenges included limited access to affordable credit facilities, market accessibility, agricultural inputs and equipment, and limited technical knowledge due to low literacy levels in Kenya’s ASAL region. This paper provides a critical foundation for encouraging sustainable solutions and empowering pastoralist communities to navigate and prosper in the face of intensifying droughts. It also serves as an essential resource for policymakers, scholars, and humanitarian organizations to inform the best adaptation interventions.