Land Use Changes and Their Implication on Wildlife Dispersal Areas. A Case of Merrueshi Location, Kajiado County

Abstract

Conservation of wildlife in Kenya primarily involves the establishment and maintenance of protected areas, such as national parks and reserves. These areas are managed with strict land use regulations to ensure the protection of wild fauna, flora, and their habitats. In addition to these protected areas, there are surrounding lands that do not enjoy the same level of protection, but they serve as crucial wildlife habitats essential for the sustainability of wildlife and the protected regions. Historically, land use in the wildlife dispersal areas was compatible with conservation efforts. However, these areas are now facing significant pressures due to land use changes that pose a serious threat to the viability of wildlife conservation in Kenya. Despite the importance of wildlife dispersal corridors, existing studies on wildlife conservation have largely overlooked the impact of land use changes on these areas. This study examined land use change in Merrueshi Location and how the change affects the wildlife dispersal areas; it determined the drivers of land use change in the study area, evaluated the roles, behaviour and perceptions of stakeholders on land use change and wildlife dispersal areas within the location and has proposed strategies that can address land use change in relation to wildlife dispersal areas. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The target population was all the households living in the former Merrueshi Group Ranch, in Kajiado County and other stakeholders who included the physical planner, local chief, and the Nasaru Olosho Conservancy officials. A total of 60 randomly sampled households were interviewed using a household questionnaire. Three groups of men, women, and youth were interviewed using customized focus group discussion guides. Observations were also done using an observation checklist. Photographs of relevant features were taken to amplify evidence of the data. The findings revealed that the main causes of land use change in the location were: (i) high population growth due to natural increase and immigration and the need for land by all heirs and immigrants. In 1987, each registered member was allocated a minimum of 141 ha. (350 acres) that has reduced to the current majority owning less than 100 acres. (ii) The change from communal tenure to private freehold landholding. Under communal tenure, communities were involved in decision-making and benefit sharing, and there was more support for conservation efforts. (iv) The fourth cause is increasing poverty and loss of livelihood for Indigenous people, which has driven them to sell land without consideration of conservation objectives. The impacts of land use change to wildlife corridors and dispersal areas were identified as loss of biodiversity, increased human-wildlife conflict, and environmental degradation. The key stakeholders are the immigrants who, once they move into the area, fence their farms and practice crop farming, mainly onions and tomatoes. The findings highlight the urgent need to address the pressures from changing land tenure systems, population growth, and the expansion of agricultural and residential land use areas, which are rapidly transforming landscapes crucial for wildlife movement and survival. Maintaining the ecological integrity of these corridors and dispersal areas is essential for the long-term viability of wildlife populations within protected areas. Effective conservation strategies must extend beyond national parks and reserves to include these surrounding lands, employing a comprehensive approach to ensure successful wildlife conservation. The study recommends the development of wildlife corridors as special planning areas, the formulation of specific planning guidelines for wildlife conservation areas and adherence to the land use development guidelines. Others include the enhancement of community-based approaches in the management of wildlife conservation areas and the promotion of the Public Private Partnership resource management model.