Spatial Land Use Management Strategy on Sustainable
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SPATIAL LAND USE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY ON SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD IN VIHIGA COUNTY, KENYA BY EKABTEN BONFACE ERUTE A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT FOR THE A WARD OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES MOI UNIVERSITY 2017 2 DECLARATION DECLARATION BY THE STUDENT I declare that this thesis is my original work and that it has not been presented for award of any degree, published or submitted for examination in this or any other university. That, no part of this work can be reproduced without prior permission from the author and or Moi University. ______________________ __________________ Ekabten Bonface Erute Date Reg. No: SHRD/PhD.D/01/13 DECLARATION BY SUPERVISORS This thesis has been submitted for examination with our approval as university supervisors. _______________________ ___________________ Prof. Mulongo L.S Date Department of Development Studies School of Human Resources Development MOI UNIVERSITY _______________________ ___________________ Prof. Omboto P. Isaboke Date Department of Quantitative and Entrepreneurship Studies School of Human Resources Development MOI UNIVERSITY 3 DEDICATION I dedicate this work to my mother Anne Nakeremwa and my family; Edwin Joseph, Brent Emmanuel and Eliud Bishop for your prayers and sacrifice during the period of my studies. May the good Lord bless you. 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to my supervisors Prof. Mulongo L.S and Prof. Omboto I. P for their guidance, contribution and support that enabled me reach this far. Indeed, you were always there sharing with me your time within busy engagements. I would like to acknowledge the support of the Dr. Tubey Dean School of Human Resource Development, Dr. Kurgat Head of Department, Department of Development Studies, Prof. Kwonyike, Liz Manoah and all other lecturers whom I am not able to mention by name. I wish to thank Madam Linnet Abdalla, County Secretary and Head of Public Service, and County Government of Vihiga for granting me the permission to undertake my research in the institution. Special thanks go to the Chief Officer Department of Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development Madam Lucy Ijai, Dr. Andrew Ondego, Chief Officer Department of Transport and Infrastructure for your encouragement throughout the period of my study, Director Physical Planning, Mr. Duncan Kuria, Director Survey Mr., Kombuor, Director Nema Mr. Boniface, Director Agriculture Kafwa, Director environment Mr. Amoke, Land registrar Mr. Okwaro Economists’ Mr. Siguta, Masinde and Andrew, Sub-County administrators Mr. Ayodi and Agessa, and ward administrators. Your support, opinions and knowledge we shared contributed immensely on the success of this study. To the respondents and other policy makers, thank you. The research data that you provided helped me to achieve the main objective of this research. The chief librarian Vihiga County documentation center for allowing access of the necessary documents that guided my research. Last but not least I wish to thank Lydia Metto and my research assistants, my colleagues (PhD candidates) Development Studies class 2013: Arogo, Aggie, and Mr. Rono for your guidance and support throughout our period of study. Also I thank Agola for your love and support during the tough times when I was studying. Thanks to all those whom I have not mentioned by name, indeed all your contributions made this research a success. 5 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. 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION...............................................................................................................ii DEDICATION..................................................................................................................iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT...............................................................................................iv ABSTRACT........................................................................................................................v LIST OF TABLES............................................................................................................xi LIST OF FIGURES.........................................................................................................xii LIST OF PLATES..........................................................................................................xiii OPERATIONALIZATION OF TERMS......................................................................xiii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS........................................................xv CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION..............................................................................1 1.1 Overview........................................................................................................................1 1.2 Background of the Study...............................................................................................1 1.3Statement of the Problem................................................................................................7 1.4 Study Objectives............................................................................................................9 1.4.1 Specific Objectives.................................................................................................9 1.5 Hypothesis.....................................................................................................................9 1.6 Justification of the Study...............................................................................................9 1.7 Limitations of the Study..............................................................................................11 1.8 Significance of the Study.............................................................................................12 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW...............................................................14 7 2.1 Overview......................................................................................................................14 2.2Land Use Management Strategies................................................................................14 2.2.1 Kenya’s Agro-ecological Zones............................................................................17