ROOT CAUSES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONFLICTS THAT UNDERMINE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN KURESOI SUB COUNTY, KENYA
Kipngeno James Ronoh - University of Nairobi, Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Dr. Shazia Chaudhry S. - University of Nairobi, Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies, University of Nairobi, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Environment issues especially on land are a fundamental aspect of structural conflicts in Kenya but they have also often degenerated into physical violence. Land has been the crux of economic, cultural and socio-economic change in Kenya. Following years of an inappropriate land tenure system, a large segment of the population continues to have difficulties not only in adapting to the modern agrarian economy but also in coping with the increasingly fragile and marginal environment, land degradation, low agricultural output and intensifying conflicts over access to and control of land. Violence over land has occurred sporadically in different parts of the country, and doubts over the worthiness of land titles almost caused major economic instability a few years ago. This research intends to explore the impact of environmental conflicts on socio-economic development in Kuresoi Sub-county in Kenya. The key objective was to explore the root causes of environmental conflicts that undermine socio-economic development. The findings from this study will be of great significance to government agencies, society at large and future scholars. The study adopted a descriptive research design with the target population of Kuresoi residents. Simple random sampling was applied to collect information. The study used both primary and secondary data to arrive at empirical conclusions, the data was organized, cleaned and analyzed using SPSS and then drew statistical inferences. The results were presented in form tables, charts and graphs accompanied with their explanations.
