INFLUENCE OF MIRAA CULTIVATION ON CHANGING AGRICULTURAL LAND USE PATTERNS IN MBITA AND KIANJIRU LOCATIONS, EMBU COUNTY BY MUGENDI G. M. B.A (HONS) A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN PLANNING, DEPARTMENT OF URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING, UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI November, 2017 DECLARATION This thesis is my original work and has never been presented in this or any other University for an award of a degree. Signed:………………………………………………………………………………………… Mugendi Geoffrey Moses Dated: …………………………………………………………………………………………. This thesis has been submitted for consideration with our approval as the supervisors Signed:…………………………………………………………………………………………. Mr. Charles Osengo Dated:………………………………………………………………………………………….. Signed:…………………………………………………………………………………………. Dr. Karanja Mwangi Dated:………………………………………………………………………………………….. i DEDICATION This MA (Planning) thesis project report is dedicated to the late Dennis Macharia Nthiga, (05th January 1991 to 14th May 2014). I am proud of you my doted nephew. You fought bravely to the very end. You wore that broad smile in spite of the suffering caused by Leukemia. Rest in peace Mash till we meet again; in our hearts you live on. Dennis would have graduated from Kenyatta University in December 2014 with a bachelor of Environmental Planning and Management Degree. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I acknowledge my supervisors Mr. Charles Osengo and Dr. Karanja Mwangi who guided me and offered invaluable suggestions and motivation that enabled me to complete this work; Dr. Samwuel Obiero, Dr. Fridah Mugo, Dr. Herbert Musoga and Plan. Titus Musungu for their helpful insights. I equally acknowledge the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning for giving me time off to undertake this course and the Director Physical Planning Department and staff for their support throughout the time of this study.My student colleagues who walked every step of the journey with me will ever be remembered for their constructive criticisms during Theses seminar presentations. Lastly, I would like to thank my wife Waithira Mugendi, son Mutaari Mugendi and daughter Wokabi Mugendi, and friends for their moral support and encouragement. Their sacrifice to hold the family together while I was away is a constant reminder of the useful role of a family. Thanks for the sacrifice. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ........................................................................................................................ i DEDICATION ........................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ....................................................................................................... iii TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................................... iv LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................. xi LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................. xiii LIST OF PLATES .................................................................................................................. xiv ACRONYMS .......................................................................................................................... xvi ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................... xvii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................ 1 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Statement of Research Problem .................................................................................. 2 1.2 Research Questions ..................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Overall Objective ........................................................................................................ 3 1.4 Specific Objectives ...................................................................................................... 3 1.5 Assumptions of the Study ........................................................................................... 3 1.6 Justification ................................................................................................................. 4 1.7 Significance of the study ............................................................................................. 4 1.8 Scope of the Study....................................................................................................... 5 1.8.1 Theoretical Scope................................................................................................. 5 1.8.2 Geographical Scope ............................................................................................. 6 1.8.3 Structuring Elements of the Study Area .............................................................. 6 1.9 Study Limitations ........................................................................................................ 6 1.10 Operational Definition of Key Terms ......................................................................... 7 1.11 Organization of the Study Report................................................................................ 8 iv CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................ 9 2.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 9 2.1 Land-Use and Land-Cover Change ............................................................................. 9 2.2 Nature of Land-Use Change ...................................................................................... 14 2.2.1 Land Cover Conversion Analysis ...................................................................... 15 2.2.2 Land Cover- Modification Analysis .................................................................. 15 2.3 Triggers and Impacts of Land-Use Change............................................................... 15 2.3.1 Natural Triggers and their Implications ............................................................. 15 2.3.2 Direct Human Activity Triggers and Impacts .................................................... 16 2.3.3 Analysis of Triggers and Impacts of Land-Use Change .................................... 20 2.4 Models of Land-Use Change..................................................................................... 22 2.4.1 Empirical Models ............................................................................................... 22 2.4.2 Stochastic Models .............................................................................................. 23 2.4.3 Optimization Models ......................................................................................... 23 2.4.4 Dynamic Simulation Models ............................................................................. 23 2.4.5 Integrated Modeling Approaches ....................................................................... 24 2.5 Classical Models of Land Use ................................................................................... 24 2.6 Land Area of Kenya .................................................................................................. 25 2.7 State of Land-Use in Kenya ...................................................................................... 27 2.8 Land Laws in Kenya ................................................................................................. 27 2.8.1 Pre- Independence Period .................................................................................. 27 2.8.2 Post-Independence Period .................................................................................. 29 2.9 The Constitution of Kenya, 2010 .............................................................................. 29 2.9.1 The Bill of Rights............................................................................................... 30 2.9.2 Principles of Land Policy ................................................................................... 30 2.9.3 Regulation of Land Use ..................................................................................... 30 2.9.4 Minimum and Maximum Land Holdings Acreage ............................................ 30 2.9.5 Constitutional Interpretation of Land................................................................. 30 v 2.9.6 Role of Government in Land Use Planning ....................................................... 31 2.10 The Physical Planning Act, 1996 .............................................................................. 31 2.11 The Land Act, 2012 ................................................................................................... 32 2.12 Urban Areas and Cities Act, 2011 ............................................................................. 32 2.13 The County Government Act, 2012 .......................................................................... 33 2.14 The Environment Management and Co-ordination Act, 1999 .................................. 33 2.15 The National Land Commission Act, 2012 ..............................................................