The contributions of tea factories on the growth of human settlements in Kisii District. a case study of Keroka and Kebirigo

Abstract

The study examines the role of tea factories on the growth of nucleated settlements in Kisii district with Keroka and Kebirigo taken as case studies. The study examines the relationship of population distribution and its influence on the pattern of human settlements in the district, In examining the role of tea factories, the study analysed the general factors influencing the growth of nucleated settlements and the role of tea factories in particular. The findings reveal that physical expansion, increase of economic activities, population and provision of the infrastructural facilities in these centres is attributed to the establishment of tea factories within or near them. The findings also show that the role of tea factories has greater influence when combined with other influencing factors such as potentiality of resource hinterland and transportation network. finaLly the study recommends the various policy approaches through which the identified constraints and problems of the settlements could be solved and on which the general development of the settlements could be based.