patial land use management strategy on sustainable livelihood in Vihiga County, Kenya

Abstract

In many developing countries, land is a resource that has remained a major asset on which people’s livelihoods have been determined. In Kenya for instance, over 80% of its socio-economic development is derived from land. However, this noble role played by land as illustrated from various studies may not be realistic with the continued application of unsustainable land use management strategies. The scenario is even worsened by numerous internal and external forces currently being experienced globally. This therefore calls for re-engineering of the strategy to redeem the role played by land in sustaining livelihoods. The study examined the effect of spatial land use management strategy on sustainable livelihoods in Kenya with emphasis to households in Vihiga County. The specific objectives were to; assess the current spatial land use in Vihiga County, examine the determinants of spatial land use strategy, evaluate the influence spatial land use strategy on people’s livelihoods and analyze the challenges attributed to the use of the strategy. The study was based on Bid-Rent Function Theory as propagated by Alonso. The study adopted analytical research design and mixed methods approach. The researcher drew philosophical inspiration from pragmatic worldview that is problem centered and more focused on real world issues. The target population was 110,000 mainly comprising of households and Heads of Departments at the County. Multi stage and systematic random sampling techniques and Glenn’s statistical tables were used to determine a sample size of 385 respondents in respective sub-counties and wards. Instruments for data collection were; questionnaires, interview schedules, focused group discussions, Desktop Review, satellite imagery and observation. Data was analyzed both descriptively (mean, mode, median and variance) and inferentially (Chi-square and Pearson’s Product Moment correlation coefficient). Qualitative content was achieved through thematic analysis. At significance level of 0.05 the hypothesis was rejected implying that other factors which affect livelihoods cannot be neglected. Although from the study findings, geo-physical, social, economic and political dimensions were identified as major determinants of spatial land use management in Vihiga County, agriculture and commerce were more prevalent land uses. Land has emerged as a key resource in which peoples socio-economic livelihoods are determined. Local accountability on resource use and management is critical in reducing vulnerability through restraining external stress, minimizing shocks and providing safety nets in order to limit the severity of poverty. Although association of local accountability on resource use was found to be weak, this can only be achieved if capabilities of households are enhanced and there is equity. Since variables used in planning complement each other; they should be presented as a coherent package. While numerous challenges were cited in the area of study that were either from internal or external sources, strengthening the linkages between existing policies and the anthropogenic activities has the potential to generate both benefits and dis-benefits which may be captured by the twin concept of pump and tunnel effects to circumvent the application of the strategy for attainment of the desired spatial balance for sustainable livelihoods.