Ph.D. in Environmental Planning & Managementhttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/157222026-04-05T18:46:56Z2026-04-05T18:46:56ZTHE ROLE OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES ON LIVELIHOOD DEVELOPMENT IN THE MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE, NAROK COUNTY, KENYAKIPKOSGEI MESHACK LAGAThttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/135882024-07-26T12:23:38Z2022-01-01T00:00:00ZTHE ROLE OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES ON LIVELIHOOD DEVELOPMENT IN THE MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE, NAROK COUNTY, KENYA
KIPKOSGEI MESHACK LAGAT
Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) is a tourist attraction site and brings revenue to
the Kenyan economy. This study, therefore, assessed wildlife conservation and livelihood
development in the Maasai Mara Ecosystem (Siana, Naikarra and Mara Wards), Narok
County in order to understand the benefits distribution, success and failures of socioeconomic projects, community conservation efforts, livelihood activities and wildlife
livestock depredation. The study used Mixed Method’s concurrent design. From a
population of 135130, a sample size of 115 respondents for Siana Ward, 114 respondents
for Mara Ward and 114 respondents for Naikarra Ward were selected. Stratified sampling
was used to identify the sublocations while systematic random sampling was used to select
subjects within the different geographically formed strata or sublocations. Purposive
sampling was used to select conservation key informants within the region. The main data
collection tools were questionnaires, structured interviews and Focused Group Discussions
(FGDs). Pilot test was conducted in Oldonyo Rasha Sublocation to ascertain the validity
and reliability of the research instruments. Descriptive analysis was done where
frequencies, chi-squares, measure of central tendencies, linear correlation and Ordinal
Logistic Regression were computed and presented in tables, pie-charts and bar-graphs. To
test the hypothesis Spearman’s rank coefficient and ordinal logistic regression (x
2
tests)
were done. Among the key findings were that there were socio-economic benefits derived
from the MMNR (r = -.180, df = 284, p = 0.002) and since p < 0.01, revealed that socioeconomic benefits vary significantly with distance from MMNR boundary, ( x
2= 6.36, df
= 1, p = 0.012) while p < 0.05 at 95 % CL, indicated that socio-economic factors influence
the success of wildlife conservation projects in Siana, Mara and Naikarra wards.
Additionally, the local community in their effort to support conservation has developed
local strategies and activities that demonstrate the value of wildlife conservation in form
of community projects that support and exist in the forms of school bursary, construction
of class rooms and community water projects. However, there were community projects
that could not be established whether they were initiated to support conservation or they
were political projects. Livestock depredation and other economic costs were conspicuous,
especially closer to MMNR and the intensity of disturbance reduced with advancing
distance from MMNR. The local community were participating in livelihood activities that
were in support of wildlife conservation and at the same time earning them alternative
income, like land leasing, pastoralism, among others. It is concluded that, socio-economic
benefits vary with distance from MMNR boundary; livestock depredation vary
significantly from MMNR boundary and there are livelihood activities in Siana, Mara and
Naikarra ward related to wildlife conservation. The study then recommends that; the
County Government of Narok should enhance the 19 % policy on compensation to
equitably cover most of the deserving cases; the establishments within the MMNR (hotels
and camps) should consider partnering with the local community especially in trade; and
the National Government and the private sector should invest in the financial sector, that
is, establishment of banks and micro-finance institutions in major trading centres within
the Maasai Mara Ecosystem (MME) to enhance credit access.
2022-01-01T00:00:00Z