The contribution of tourism to the host community Livelihoods at the Mara Naboisho conservancy, Narok County, Kenya

Abstract

The travel and tourism industry is a significant contributor to most countries’ economic development. In Kenya, tourism has been developed and promoted at the national and county levels as one of the critical economic drivers generating 8.8% of the country's GDP, worth USD 7.9 billion as of 2018. However, there is limited research on its contribution to the livelihoods of the custodians of the tourism resources, especially in Mara Naboisho Conservancy (MNC). Therefore, guided by the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework approach, this study sought to determine the contribution of tourism to the host community livelihoods at the Mara Naboisho Conservancy in Narok County, Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to establish the contribution of tourism to human, financial, physical and social capital assets of the host community. The study employed a case study research design using a qualitative approach. The study targeted MNC households, tourism investors and MNC camp managers, Narok County Tourism Officers and the area chief. The Snowball sampling technique was used to select 2 tourism investors, 3 MNC camp managers, 3 Tourism officers and 1 area chief, making a total of 35 participants. The study utilized both primary and secondary sources of information. Primary sources included interviews and focus group discussions. Data was analyzed thematically in line with the objectives of the study. Results indicated that tourism contributed to the human capital in terms of technical skills, knowledge, education support and on the job training; financial capital, including; direct cash and creation of jobs; physical capital in terms of health infrastructure, education infrastructure, roads, boreholes, computers and machinery while Social capital included shared values, interpersonal relations and shared norms. The study concluded that although tourism in Mara Naboisho conservancy contributed positively to the livelihoods of the community, there exist several negatives; these include power struggles, inequitable distribution of benefits such as access to jobs and training to the community and the fear of influence and erosion of the Maasai community rich culture. Based on the findings from the study, the study made the following recommendations for policy action; Firstly, the community should be provided with a conducive environment and first-hand priority to supply goods and services to the conservancy as it will promote financial empowerment; secondly, the conservancy management in collaboration with the county government of Narok should provide more job opportunities for the host community to promote human capital; thirdly, conservancy management with the support of the county government of Narok should expand infrastructure to facilitate community development. Finally, the Mara Naboisho Conservancy authorities should support the local community through funding to improve the community-based projects and improve education and the local sports activities in the community.