Abstract:
The establishment and existence of the Fluorspar Mining Company created direct and
indirect employment opportunities for the local population. It also generated new
prospects for starting new businesses and expanding existing ones, further
contributing to poverty reduction and economic growth. However, the closure of
mining activities within the mining area may have led to social and economic
challenges for the local communities. These were widespread unemployment, poor
nutrition, high crime rates, and increased dependency. The general objective was to
investigate the implications of the closure of Fluorspar Mining Company on the
community livelihood in Keiyo South Sub- County. The specific objectives included
examine the effects of the closure on livelihood among the households, to analyze the
livelihood strategies among households, and to assess the influence of closure on
gender relations among households in Keiyo south sub-county Kenya. The study was
informed by the theory of Redefinition of the situation. The study employed mixed
approach design which entailed exploratory design and descriptive survey. The target
population was all the households’ heads in the study area. The sample size was 254
respondents. Multistage sampling technique was used. Data collection methods
included questionnaires, interviews, and observation, and focus group discussions as
the main data collection tools. Quantitative data collected was analyzed in the form of
frequencies and percentages and presented in the form of matrix tables, charts, and
graphs. On the other hand, qualitative data was analyzed thematically based on the
specific research objectives. The study results show that mining is a major propellant
of economic activities in the study area by creating wealth, providing jobs, and
stimulating business ventures for community members. Further, the closure of the
company acted as a major economic setback to the community as a whole. The study
findings also show that the majority 91(44.4%) of respondents earned an income of
4001-8000ksh while the minority 7(3.4%) earned an income of between 0-500kshs.
The average income per month after closure was too low since their main source of
income was lost, leaving them in despair. Furthermore, the closure of mining company
led to change on income generating activities, roles and decision making among men
and women. The study concluded that mining closure gradually depleted the mining
community’s livelihood assets and resulted in the collapse of their livelihood sources.
The closure affected the community’s nutrition, health, education, food security,
water, shelter, levels of community participation, and personal safety. The study
recommends that mining companies should develop a contingency plan to mitigate the
potential socio-economic consequences of unexpected mine closure. Contingency plan
will assist in building the community’s economic resilience. Communities and
mineworkers should be involved in planning for company closure and all other
matters that affect their livelihoods.