| dc.description.abstract | This study was conducted in the northern part of Kenya, Turkana district, in Kakuma division.
Its aims were to study the impact of human settlement on vegetation and soil resources and the
socio-economic environment.
Kakuma is a semi-arid area under nomadic pastoralism as the main activity. This area has a
high population concentration than other areas. The presence of the refugee camp has attracted
many people from within the turkana conununity and also the outside conununity. This has in
turn had an effect on the vegetation and the social patterns of the local conununity.
Vegetation plays an important role in the sustenance of the Turkana people, either directly
(food) or indirectly (forage for animals). For the study of vegetation, 4 transects, each 6 Km
long, were laid from the settlement camp. Vegetation density, cover and diversity values were
taken for trees, shrubs and herbs at the intervals of 1 Km. The 6th Km from the settlement
camp acted as the control. There was a significant difference (P>O.05) in vegetation cover,
density and diversity along distance gradient. The mean tree crown cover was low near the
settlement camp-6.24%, but high away from the settlement camp-S7.69%, as many trees were
cut down for charcoal burning, firewood and building poles. The density was high near the
settlement camp as many trees were re-sprouts and young trees. The cover of thi, was low
compared to mature trees. Shrub crown cover was low in the 1stand 4thKm, 0.87% and 3.S4%
respectively, compared with 6.84%,9.82% and 7.8% for the 2nd,3rdand s" Km. Areas around
the 1st and 4thKm had settlements. The need for fencing and building materials was the main
cause of low shrub cover. The density of the shrub species generally increased as one moved
away from the settlement camp. Shrub species most cut were Acacia reficiens, Acacia
niellifera and Abutilon fruticosum. Herb species cover and density was high near the
settlement camp 68% and 202.17 individuals/rn" compared to 4S.43% and 187 individuals/rrr'
at the s" Km., but this comprised mostly of species unpalatable to livestock like Tribulus
terrestris and Portulaca oleraceae. Though herb cover was low away from the settlement
camp, the proportion of palatable species was high. Species diversity was low for trees and
shrubs near the settlement camp but high for herb species. Direct cutting into tree and shrub
species must have reduced the number of species available. The high number of herb species
was a result of over-utilization of palatable species.
The region in the recent past has undergone various ecological and social changes due to
various factors. The study revealed that droughts and livestock raids in the previous years have
set in motion social and ecological changes. The loss of livestock through raids and droughts
has encouraged the sedenterization of the Turkana. Many families opted to settle after losing
their livestock and abandon their pastoral lifestyles. This has not only affected their cultural
patterns but has had an effect on the rangeland condition. Lack of mobility had concentrated
livestock in specific areas depleting the forage resources and creating conditions for soil
erosion. The study revealed that the range condition was poor near the settlement camp.
The Turkana population near the settlement camp consisted mainly of the destitute families
who. had lost their livestock in raids and droughts. The refugee camp within the division has
been their main source of income especially through trade. Trading activities included the sale
of cereals, clothing materials and household goods to the Turkana. They occasionally
exchanged the items with-livestock. At the same time the Turkana sold building materials and
wood-fuel to the refugees and people within the settlement camp. Apart from this they also
sold livestock to the refugee camp. The most common sold livestock were goats and camels.
Apart from trading activities they also came to Kakuma in search for employment mostly in
the refugee camp. School enrolment was low as many school-going age children opted to look
for a part time work within the refugee camp to earn some money.
Though there were already some changes in the pastoral lifestyle of the Turkana around the
Kakuma area, the introduction of the refugee camp has hastened the process of change. The
increase in population has set in motion various changes that have affected not only the
vegetation but also the social structures within the Kakuma area. In regard to this there is a
need for education on the impacts, both short term and long term, of the various activities on
the vegetation, livestock resources and also the pastoral lifestyle. This is also necessary since
the refuge camp may be relocated or closed down in future. | en |
