An Assessment of the Effect of Irrigation Projects on Wetlands: Yala Swamp, Siaya County, Kenya
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Date
2018Author
Kemunto, Nyakundi L
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The relationship that exists between irrigated agriculture and its effect on the wetland ecosystem
has been depicted as one of the trade-offs between increased human demand for food verses the
natural environment. This study aimed at examining the effects of irrigation projects on the status
and functioning of wetlands particularly in Yala Swamp, Siaya County and the effect of the
irrigation project on the local people’s livelihoods. The specific objectives of this study included;
examining the socioeconomic benefits of Yala Swamp; assessing how the Dominion Irrigation
Project has affected Yala Swamp; and assessing how the Dominion Irrigation Project has affected
the livelihood of the people of South Central Alego Location. The study adopted a cross-sectional
and a descriptive research design. The communities of Kadenge Sub-location were the target
population as they directly and indirectly relied on Yala Swamp for their household livelihoods.
A non-probability sampling technique was adopted particularly the purposive sampling technique
because the local administration (elders) approached individuals who were believed to have better
information on the state of Yala Swamp, the activities carried out at Yala Swamp and how
Dominion Farms has affected their livelihoods. The study identified Kadenge sub-location to be
the most efficient in generating information concerning the irrigation project and Yala Swamp.
111 respondents filled the questionnaires willingly. The primary data collection instruments used
included the use of questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussion and observations. The
qualitative data from interviews was analysed using content analysis. The study found out the local
residents relied on the socio-economic benefits obtained from Yala Swamp to maintain their
livelihoods. Majority of the respondents (57.7 %) acknowledged that Yala swamp played an
important role in providing fertile land for agriculture. Another 60% of the farmers reported that
they practiced mixed farming and they acknowledged that the swamp was important as it provided
foliage and pasture to their livestock. Further, it was found that the human activities carried out
along Yala Swamp had adverse impacts on the Swamp thus its degradation. 73.9% of the
respondents reported that draining and reclaiming the swamp for agricultural purposes was a major
contribution to the degradation of the swamp, while 42.3% reported that flow alteration, diversion
and construction of dykes had adverse impact on the swamp leading to reduced water in rivers
downstream. It was evident that there were unresolved issues with regards to the sharing of the
natural capital between the local residents and Dominion Irrigation. The conflict was because the
local residents had difficulty in accessing the wetlands natural resources due to change in the
ownership and management of the part of Yala Swamp that was leased to the investor. The study
recommended continuous community participation in the decision making process to avoid
conflicts. There is also need for education and creating awareness among the stakeholders to
promote sustainable utilization of the natural resources and sustainable development.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
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