The Role of Forest Cover in Landslide Risk Reduction in Marakwet East Escarpment, Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Kenya.

Abstract

This research was conducted in Marakwet East Escarpment, Elgeyo-Marakwet County, which extends across Tirap and Tot divisions in Marakwet East sub-county. The frequency and magnitude of landslides in this area are responsible for various adverse social, economic, and environmental impacts including loss of human life, loss of property, and destruction of infrastructure. The main goal of this study was to analyze the role of forest cover in Landslide Risk Reduction in the region. The study addresses four specific objectives: To determine the trend of forest cover change in the past 20 years (2000-2020), to determine the frequency of landslide incidences in the past 20 years (2000-2020), to assess the extent to which the local community is aware on the role of forest cover in landslide risk reduction and, to analyze the perception of the local community on forest cover support to landslide risk reduction. The study employed the use of questionnaires, interviews, and field observation methods to collect data from a random sample of 385 residents, which were analyzed by use of texts and statistical methods. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with the aid of SPSS and Microsoft excel, while qualitative data were analyzed using themes based on similarities and differences. Hypothesis testing was done using simple linear regression. Results and findings show that the Marakwet East Escarpment lost 390.53 ha of forest cover between 2000 and 2020, translating into a loss of 19.53 ha per year. In the same period (2000-2020), landslide frequencies increased from zero landslides per year between the years 2000 and 2009 to at least one landslide event per year except for years 2012, 2015,2016 2017, and 2018 between 2010 and 2020. The area residents are aware and optimistic of the role of forest cover in landslide risk reduction with 62.50% being confidently aware and 64.29% perceiving it to be very important. This study concluded that forest cover loss has played a major role in increasing the frequencies of landslide occurrence. Besides the community is aware and positive of the role of forest cover in landslide risk reduction though poverty levels push them to deforestation. The study recommends the development of policies, programs, and institutions on forest protection, conservation, restoration and management, forestry to be made one of the land-uses in the area, and research on sustainable management of forests.