Forested Landchanges and Resource Based Conflicts in Kenya: a Casestudy of Kerichocounty, Kenya

Abstract

Resource conflicts are common both regionally and nationally. Land and its uses have been identified as major sources of conflicts globally. In Kenya, expanding tea farming in Kericho, County in Kenya is regarded as a threat to indigenous forests and to local practices that have so long been part of community culture. Against this background, this study seeks to examine the impact of changing forest lands and resource based conflicts in Kenya with a focus on tea farming in Kericho County. The objectives of the study were to: study the prevalence of forested lands conflicts in Kenya; assess the relationship between Land Titling and resource based conflicts in Kenya and to recommend appropriate management framework to regulate forested lands and resource based conflicts in Kenya. Questionnaire survey research design was used in the research. A stratified random sample of 399 respondents was used in the research. Data sources were both secondary and primary. Secondary data sources were reports, publications, website and magazines. Primary data was obtained from respondents. Descriptive statistics with central tendency and frequency measurements were used in SPSS. The results of this research showed a strong correlation between forested lands, land practices and conflicts. This was confirmed by strong correlation between the studied factors. Future research can investigate cross-county disparities in conflicts related to forested lands.