Impacts of a Degraded Dryland Riverine Ecosystem on Livelihoods: A Case Study of Kaketa in Kilome Division of Makueni District

Abstract

The study aims at establishing how people’s livelihoods in Kaketa Riverine Ecosystem have been impacted on by the degradation of the same. Specific attention has been focused on impacts on food security, fuel wood supply and supply of water for domestic use. A sample of 60 households was relied on to give an inference to the population consisting of about 200 households within the Kaketa Riverine Ecosystem. Systematic random sampling procedure was employed to select the households to be included in the sample. Both primary and secondary data sources were of use as the study employed the use of^ PSS (Statistical Package for Social Scientists) tool in data analysis. Qualitative and quantitative statistics were used in the analysis. The former involved the use of descriptive such as percentages and averages, while the latter involved the use of regression analysis to establish relationship that exists between variables. The study found out that the degradation of Kaketa Riverine Ecosystem has adversely affected livelihoods of the local people as there is rampant food insecurity, fuel crisis and shortage of water for domestic use. Consequently, the study recommends that the government through the relevant authorities should ensure full enforcement of the relevant legislation on sustainable utilization and conservation of the natural ecosystem, such as the Water Act, the Agriculture Act and the Forest Act among others. This would prevent further destruction of the ecosystem and allow the already degraded ecosystem to be restored to its original status. For further researchers, the study recommends scientific analysis of the soil status of the area in order to give more accurate and specific recommendations in improving the soil fertility status on a sustainable basis.