VELCOME TO NAKURU DISTRICT OSIVERSITY OF NAIROBI OF TOBAM AND REGIOHAT. , C F NA ROB! u n i v e r ^ t v • f\U J L iBRARY V\ TOE IMPACT OF SETTfjFMrarpg i, dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Master of Arts in Planning ) e .n .d . ,s d f .s w a J u n e 1 3 7 7 This dissertation is my original vork and has not been presented for a degree in any other University. This dissertation has been submitted for examination with my approval as University supervisor. Signed 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Acknowledgement* •*. ••••••••••.......... I List of figures......... **............. II List of tables.*********,,•**,••••••••*. m Abstract •••• .......... IV Chapter I*****.*.**,,*..... \ Chapter I I .... ••*••*•....... •••••••*•• 17 Chapter III....... *........••*••••.... 44 Chapter IV.....*•....... *..... *....... 88 Chapter V.............. X09 Appendices 134 (I) ACKNOWLEDGEMENT In preparing this report, I have received assistance from a number of people and drawn information from many sources which it would be difficult to acknowledge individually. I acknowledge with gratitude all that assistance. I am greatly indepted to the Danish Government, for granting me a scholarship to undertake studies in urban and regional planning at the University of Nairobi and the Kenya Government for making it possible for me to pursue this course. The members of staff of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning of the University of Nairobi helped me very much in the preparation of this study. Their comments during thesis seminars were very useful indeed. My special thanks go to my Supervisor, Professor A. Subbakrishniah for the inspiration and assistance during the preparation of this report. I would fail to thank him adequately if I did not mention his constant encouragement that I should be confident with my work. This confidence is one of the valuable things I have learnt during the course. Finally, I would like to thank Miss Kiki Papacharalmpou for efficiently typing this report often staying late to complete it in time. (II) LIST OF FIGURES Page Fig. 1 Location of Nakuru District 17 Fig. 2 Physiographic features 26 Fig. 3 Soils 29 Fig. 4 Rainfall 37 Fig. 5 Ecological zones 42 Fig. 6 Population distribution 46 Fig. 7 Age Sex Structure Appendix 4 (Ill) LIST OF TABLES Table III:I....................... 51 Table III:II..... ................. 52 Table 111:111..................... 53 Table IZZflV and Table III:V......*, 54 Table III:VI...................... 70 t■\ Table III:VII...................... 72 m Tables IV:I and IV:II.............. 95 Table IV:III....................... 97 Table IV:IV........................ 98 • Table IV:V...................... 100 Table IV:VI........................ 102 Table IV:VII....................... 103 Table IV:VIII...................... 104 Table V : I .......................... 113 Table V t H ......................... 121 (IV) AlStllCf This study examines the impact of settlements in Nakuru District an area which prior to independence was reserved for white settlement. With independencet the District was opened for settlement of all Kenyans. This action set in motion a set of developments which have had a significant impact on the economy and the pattern of settlements that have evolved. The physical diversity of the area has presented man with almost unlimited agricultural opportunities and scope for a wide range of activities. The reliable rainfall, the generally good soils and a moderate climate make the highland region one of the most congenial environments for farming and human settlement. The bold topography exerts a strong influence on land-use * _^and on communication routes into the District which have had to adjust to the manageable natural gaps. Into this area, at about the beginning of this century, white settle­ ment was established. For the next sixty years, white settlers practised a scientific export oriented farming system which became the mainstay of Kenya’s economy. In 1960, the British Government passed an Order in Council terminating an original reservation of a huge part of the Kenya Highlands for exclusive "white settlement". The flood gates were open. All races of Kenya could from then on own farms and settle in Nakuru District. Responsibility for the implementation of a resettle­ ment programme which was necessitated by the departure (V) of many European farmers at independence was entrusted to the Department of Settlement of the Ministry of Lands and Settlement. The Department launched two schemes: a high density settlement scheme and a low density scheme. With the assistance of extension officers, farmers in the high density schemes have to a large extent maintained production levels on former European farms. The same favourable developments have not been observed in the low density schemes. A great number of farms have been purchased by co-operative societies, companies, partnerships and by individuals. On co-operative, company and partnership farms as was the case in high and low density settlement schemes, the immediate result of resettlement vas the establishment of numerous rural settlements to cater for the incoming population and farm subdivision. In some instances, entry of the new settlers is reported to have created farming problems, such as the threat to sheep industry by farm subdivisions. Silting of rivers, deforestation and other environmental problems have been reported and observed in the field. Employment opportunities seem to be slowed down by a number of factors among them being rapid population increase, poor farm management, an apparent low purchasing power among many of the new settlers and by the scattering of development projects which militates against the creation viable growth centres capable of generating employment oppor tuni ties. (VI) Important policy issues requiring immediate attention include: a clearly defined land policy for the former scheduled area, a realistic policy on population acceptable to the people and their leaders in the absence of which planning will be difficult. Of equal importance is a programme to educate the people so as to make them aware of their environmental responsibilities. CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION 1,1:0 The study area? This study covers the administrative District of Naoiru. The District formed part of the historically famous •White Highlands* which prior to indepeadeaca had attained a very high level of scientific farming on large-scale farms. Since independence in 19£3# like the rest of the former scheduled areas it has been opened to all Kenyans, including saall-scale farmers from the former African Reserves, where the majority of them were engaged in subsistence farming. The entry of small-scale farmers in the District occasioned the sub-divi sion of many large farms whose scale and mode of operation was beyond the experience and capacity of small-scale farmers* A second develop­ ment has been the emergence of new settlements in the District. Development planners have been engaged in efforts to ensure that previous levels of resource use, wage employment opportunities and the quality of the physical environment are maintained and improved upon. However, if their efforts are to bear fruit* the new settlers must be oriented and integrated into the District9s economy. This study sets out to examine the factors which have influenced the establishment ?/• •• • #* 2 - of settlement* in the District and their ixapaet on the development of the District# I l i a Iteasons Tor the study: Besides looking at tiia policies which have guided tiie establishment of sottlenaents ia the Di strict, the study will ia^ke proposals oa sorae aspects of district planning* The first district plan for Salcnru was released in January 1276* The findings of this study should hopefully provide a useful feedback to the plan during its revision in the near future when dtarvchapaaat proposals ia the fourth National Development Plan aro incorporated in the current District Devaldpamt Plan# It is also hoped that the lessons learnt ia ftakaru District will be useful to other districts especially those in the r scheduled areas# Because of their a pie relief * which is partly responsible for the good rainfall* and the generally good soils* the former scheduled areas constitute the *buttered slice* of Kenya, the moderate climate, which is cool in soiao places embraces some of the r»frt cOiigsnial on/ironj&aats for farming and settlements# The bold topography naturally exerts a strong influence on land use. Communication routes have had to adjust to the more manageable and natural gaps. The great physical diversity has also provided man with 3/. • •. - 3 - almost unlimited agricultural opportunities and the scope for a vide range of land uses. Such diverse environmental conditions have accounted for the establishment of numerous settlements in the District* Before 13o3, outside the torn ships, the only types of settlements in the rural areas vere isolated farm houses and workers * housing* After independence, foil wi n g the purchase of farms in the District by companies and co-operative societies* members of these bodies have established various forms of settlements in the rural areas. In the early period of settlements development, there was little consideration of the effect of settlements on the environment. Secondly, the settlements which were establi­ shed had the sole aim of facilitating the extraction of basic resources of the District and although the original settlers hoped to establish a self—supporting colony,