| dc.description.abstract | Agriculture remains the mainstay of the economy of Muranga County. The soils are
fertile and land productivity is high. Further economic growth and poverty reduction will
be dependent on how land can sustainably support economic activities in the county.
Landslides are very common disaster in Murang’a which impacts negatively on the socioeconomic development of the affected inhabitants in various ways. Thus the general
objective of this study was to examine causes and effects of landslides in Kairo location
of Murang’a County, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study are: to determine the
main factors responsible for causing landslides; extent of landslide threat on social
economic and physical environment; and examine adaptation responses employed by
farmers in landslide prone areas. This study has examined the man-made and natural
factors causing landslides in Kairo Location targeting 100 households. A total sample of
30 farmers representing 30 households was selected. Further, the Divisional Agricultural
Officer, Water Resources Management Authority and Environmental Officers were
selected using purposive sampling. Both the interview guide and a questionnaire were
employed as data collection instruments. Data was presented using frequency distributed
tables, bar graphs, photographs and maps from various sources. Also content analysis
was analyzed using qualitative techniques. From the study findings it was established that
the main factors responsible for causing landslides in Kairo location of Murang’a County
Kenya were heavy rainfall, human activities and steep gradient of slope. The findings
revealed that, first, human activities that caused landslides include deforestation in
general and removal of vegetation on slopes, specifically excavation of the toe slope,
loading of the slope, defective maintenance of drainage systems, water leakages from
water supply and terracing on the slopes. Second, heavy rainfall, geology, soil thickness,
deep weathering, fluvial erosion of slope toe are the geomorphological factors that causes
landslide in the area. Thirdly is that the socio-economic losses due to slope failures are
great, ranging from destruction of infrastructure, displacement of residence, loss of
property and siltation of rivers. Fourthly, the study established that farmers have adopted
some responses in regard to landslides such as afforestation programmers, and adhering
to warnings given by local government to re-locate to a safer ground. From the findings,
the study recommends that there should be sustainable communication and education to
farmers on effective ways to mitigate landslides, implementation of policies on
settlements, and penalties curbing deforestation. Future researchers should investigate the
influence government policies have on human activities in landslides prone areas. | en_US |
