| dc.description.abstract | Poverty is predominantly a socio-economic phenomenon. Many of the disadvantaged
groups are found in the rural areas of the country. For this reason, the study was designed
to basically establish, among other issues, the relationship between poverty and forest
resources in Mukogodo that is considered the poorest division in Laikipia District of Rift
Valley Province of Kenya. To this end, the study therefore, investigated the relationship
between household level of income and the rate of forest utilisation. In addition, the study
examined the influence of immigrants on the forest plant biodiversity. The study further
analyzed the significance of household size on the rate of use of forest resources in the
area. The study also examined the relationship between household proximity to the forest
and the intensity of forest biodiversity utilization in the survey area. The study was
carried out between April and September, 2005.
A sample of 293 households from the four community ranches consisting of Makurian,
Kurikuri, Ilingwesi and Lekurruki was selected using stratified sampling. Since the
population size for each of the four strata (ranches) was known, the method of
proportional allocation under which the sizes of the samples from the different strata are
kept proportional to the sizes of the strata was applied (Kothari, 1990). Random sampling
was then performed within each stratum using systematic sampling technique. The
household head (or any household' member above 18 years in case of absence of the
head) was interviewed using a standard questionnaire.
The Point Centred Quarter Method (PCQ) was employed in the study to analyse area
woody plant biodiversity. Two transects measuring 1000m and 2000m long were
established in each of the four ranches with the aid of a GPS whereby each sampling
point was divided into four quarters within a radius of 10m. The nearest woody species in
every quarter was considered. Thus, important parameters including height, local uses
, (e.g., medicinal, food, forage, firewood), were recorded. Data analysis involved both use
of regression and Chi-square analysis with the help of SPSS.
The findings of the study suggest that poverty was a serious problem among 59.4% of the
Mukogodo population and the minimum financial resources required to eliminate poverty
coming to approximately Ksh.6,711,411.60 per year for the whole population. It was
found that household level of income influenced the rate of utilisation of forest resources.
The study also revealed that the issue of forest destruction in Mukogodo was largely
more external than internal. In this case, it was found that more immigrants than the
natives engaged in activities such as charcoal production and fuel wood extraction and
selling which were very detrimental to the forest. The results also showed that size of the
household was an important determinant in forest exploitation level.
Finally, it emerged from the study findings that proximity to the forest played an
important role in determining the intensity of utilisation of forest resources by households
in the study area. It was established that poverty levels in Mukogodo remained high with
over half the population classified as very poor. As a result, the majority heavily relied on
the forest resources to survive. Therefore cases of charcoal burning, extraction of herbal
medicine, extraction and selling of fuel-wood, among other resources were rampant in the
area, thus threatening the Mukogodo forest biodiversity conservation.
It was established that in order to ensure that the forest was saved from the mounting
pressure of poverty, the latter ought to be tackled at all levels in the area by both the
government and non governmental organizations by initiating economically profitable
projects aimed at uplifting the living standards of the residents. This could be achieved by
ensuring that the locals are empowered to increase production and participation in
development through training for skills and financial assistance to start income
generating activities, which would lead them and their families to better standards of
living. | en |
