THE ROLE OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES ON LIVELIHOOD DEVELOPMENT IN THE MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE, NAROK COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

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.