Effects of Menengai Geothermal Development on Land Use, Socio-economic Transformations and Food Security of the Surrounding Region in Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

Renewable energy projects provide environmentally friendly and affordable sources of energy to communities. They provide energy to different sectors ranging from agriculture, industrial development, and commercial purposes, among others. However, renewable energy development is associated with several challenges. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Menengai geothermal development on land use changes, socio-economic transformations, and food security in the surrounding regions in Nakuru County, Kenya. The specific objectives were to determine the trends and patterns of land use changes in the region around the Menengai geothermal development project; to analyze the socio-economic transformations in the region around Menengai geothermal development project; and to assess the implications of the land use changes and socio-economic transformations on food security in the region. Both primary and secondary sources of data were used to achieve the study objectives. Primary data was collected through GIS and remote sensing techniques for land use change data between 2004 and 2022; questionnaires administered to a sample of 48 households in six selected urban centres; in-depth interviews with farmers and business owners; direct field observations, and interviews with key informants from the County Government of Nakuru Departments of Agriculture, Lands, and Trade. Quantitative data was analyzed using cross-tabulations, while content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. From the findings, it was evident that the Menengai geothermal development project had impacted the land use characteristics. For example, areas under cropland had been reducing over time, while built-up areas had increased over the same period of time, evidenced by the growth and expansion of urban centers. Forested land had increased because of agroforestry and tree planting initiatives. Land under speculation had increased over time due to increased land values. The study also established that the Menengai geothermal development project had both positive and negative socio-economic transformations in the region. Positive implications included increased employment opportunities, presence of a booming environment for businesses, the growth and expansion of urban centers, environmental conservation practices through tree planting initiatives, and improved infrastructure in transport, health, water, education and energy sectors. The negative socio-economic implications included an increase in the resident population which induces land use changes and subdivision, increasing land values, uncontrolled developments and siting of incompatible land uses within urban centers, and the lack of effective development control and co-ordination by the County Government. Further, it was also established that the land v use changes and socio-economic transformations had impacted both positively and negatively on food security in the region. The decrease in the percentage under cropland was established to impact negatively on agricultural productivity and hence threaten sustainable food security for the increasing population. On the other end, the gradual increase in the resident population had increased the demand for food and other agricultural products within the surrounding region. The study concluded that the Menengai geothermal development had led to significant land use changes and socio-economic transformations within the surrounding urban and peri-urban areas, which impacted on food security in the region. A key recommendation was that the County Government of Nakuru should ensure effective land use planning and development control within the surrounding peri-urban region as a measure to regulate further decrease in areas under cropland. This will promote sustainable production and, therefore, enhance food security in the region. Another recommendation was for the County Government to increase public awareness through civic education programmes on the effects of uncontrolled land use changes in promoting sustainable development within the Menengai Region.