Sustainable water management and food security in Kenya: a case study of Nyakach division in Kisumu county
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Date
2015-09Author
Sirega, Josephine A
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
There is a great percentage of people who live in areas where there is water scarcity.
About 2.8 billion people (more than 40%) of the world live in river basins faced with
the problem. In addition, 1.6 billion people live in areas of economic water scarcity,
where even though water is available, human, institutional and financial capital limit
access to water. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between
sustainable water management and food security in Kenya and especially in the case
of Nyakach Division, Kisumu County. It was guided by the following objective: To
assess the factors influencing unsustainable water management and food insecurity in
Nyakach Division in Kisumu County, To evaluate likely effects of poor water
management and issues in food security in Kenya and To examine community-led
initiatives in managing water resources Nyakach Division in Kisumu County. The
study aimed to test the following hypothesis: Water management don’t have
significant positive influence on food security in Nyakach Division in Kisumu County
and Community-led initiatives in managing water resources have a significant
positive influence on sustainable water management and food security in Nyakach
Division in Kisumu County. The study was anchored on liberal theory and was
necessary for making decisions on sustainable water management and food security
projects. This theory has developed a forceful case for autonomous, elected local
authorities. First local government is grounded in the belief that there is value in the
spread of power and the involvement of many decision-makers in many different
localities. The second argument rests on the view that there is strength in the diversity
of response. The study adopted a cross sectional survey. The study used both
secondary and primary data. Secondary data was obtained from Library research
which will be conducted by reviewing works related to the area of study. Descriptive
statistics was used to analyse the data. The study findings was used to compile the
report. The study established that Nyakach is part of Nyando basin which is prone to
displacement of population due to floods and other natural calamities like landslides.
The area has unstable soil formation and little water sources. It also has low
accessibility to water coverage and lack of adequate sanitation and water resource
management. Diarrhoea is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in this area
contributing to deaths of children under 5 years of age which stands at
212/1000 births. The study also established that majority of respondents interviewed
had experienced food insecurity. The study concludes that access to safe water is a
fundamental human right just like food, but it should be recognized that a right to
water does not mean free water. Water scarcity has a huge impact on food
production. Without water people do not have a means of watering their crops and,
therefore, to provide food for the fast growing population. Agriculture, is constantly
competing with domestic, industrial and environmental uses for a scarce water supply.
The Government should purpose to supply all homes in Nyakach and other affected
areas with basic water requirement for preserving human survival and well-being.
Publisher
University of Nairobi