Sand Harvesting and Livelihood Security In West Pokot County, Kenya

Abstract

Despite the abundance availability of sand and the enormous harvesting activities of the sand in West Pokot County, the activities have not translated into meaningful socio-economic returns to support livelihood and development in the study area. From the literature, there are few comprehensive studies on the implications of sand harvesting on livelihood s, especially in the study area. The purpose of this study was to fill this knowledge gap by providing empirical evidence on how sand harvesting is affecting livelihood security in the study area. The main objective of the study was to examine the effects of sand harvesting on sustainability of peoples’ livelihoods in West Pokot County. Specifically, to analyze the social implications of sand harvesting on livelihood security, to assess the economic implications of sand harvesting on livelihood security, and to evaluate the environmental implications of sand harvesting on livelihood security. The study was guided by the DFID sustainable livelihood framework, which explains constraints and dynamics of rural institutions in providing an enabling environment for sustainable livelihoods. A pragmatic philosophy addressing a practical issue in the society was employed. A descriptive survey design that blends quantitative and qualitative data to provide relevant and accurate information about phenomena in terms of its conditions, practices, processes or relationships guided the study. A total of 9995 households were targeted. Using Krejcie & Morgan table, a total of 368 participants were engaged in the study. Simple random, systematic and purposive sampling techniques were employed. Instruments of data collection were open and closed-ended questionnaire, key informant interviews, focused group discussions and direct observation. Quantitative data was analyzed by both descriptive and inferential statistics-Chi Square and Pearson Cramers’s V coefficient, while the qualitative data was thematically analyzed. It was found that there was low collective bargaining power for sand prices. Sand harvesting contributed to school dropout 109(30.6%), increased school absenteeism at 241(67.7%), drug abuse among the youth 208(58.4%), upsurge of criminal activities 120 (33.7%), promiscuity, prostitution and early marriages 173(48.6%), increased incidences of alcoholism 240(67.4%), increased domestic violence 180(50.5%) and family breakdown 147(41.3%). The economic implications showed sand harvesting as a source of employment 325(91.3%), low product price 295(82.6%), creates market for other goods and services 264(74.1%), and the R2 value for the structural model was .404 implying that 40.4 % of the variance in livelihood security is explained by economic factors. Environmentally, land for farming has reduced 145(40.7%), increased dust pollution (207(57%), increased erosion 308(86.6%), induced water scarcity 289(81.1%), and the structural model R2 value was .570 implying that 57 % of the variance in livelihood is explained by environmental factors. With all the factors statistically significant (p= 0.004, 0.000, 0.000 respectively at p<0.05), there was a significant relationship between economic implications of sand harvesting and livelihood security. The county government was yet to reap the benefits of sand harvesting in West Pokot. The study concluded that sand harvesting had both positive and negative attributes towards livelihoods in the study area. The study recommends integration of environmental aspects in utilization of resources in order to minimize on the emerging environmental hazards observed. It advocates for formulation of appropriate policies by both national and county governments, and creation of awareness among the residents on proactive sand harvesting measures.