School of Environment and Natural Resources

Improving Quality of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Reports: A Statistical Analysis

2022-01-01T00:00:00Z

Improving Quality of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Reports: A Statistical Analysis Omenge, Philip Mangi; Onacha, Gilbert; Were, George; Makindi, Stanley; Nathwani, Jathin Environmental and Social Impact Statement (ESIS) for a proposed development is vital in guiding decision makers arrive at an informed decision. Many studies have analysed ESIS quality using qualitative methods with limited statistical analysis. In this paper, we present findings of a statistical analysis of qualitative data of ESIS using Somers’ delta test (Somers’d). We report on how public participation and analysis of alternatives influence the quality of ESIS. Results show that there is a strong and positive correlation between the quality of ESIS and public participation and also between the quality of ESIS and the analysis of alternatives, which is statistically significant, p < 0.0005, Somers’ d = 0.676 and p < 0.0005, Somers’ d = 0.682, respectively.

Smallholder Farmers’ Perception, Level of Awareness and Adaptation to Climate Change in Masinga Sub County, Machakos County, Kenya

2022-01-01T00:00:00Z

Smallholder Farmers’ Perception, Level of Awareness and Adaptation to Climate Change in Masinga Sub County, Machakos County, Kenya Kimoni, Marrietar N.; Nzyengya, Daniel M.; Nzeve, Julius K. Climate change and variability negatively affects the contribution by smallholder farmers towards household and community food security. Masinga sub-county being one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change has experienced unreliable rainfall, increased temperature as well as pests and disease occurrences which has resulted to decreased yields. The study sought to analyze smallholder farmers’ perceptions to climate change, and adaptation strategies to climate change. The main objective of this research was to investigate smallholder farmers’ adaptation strategies to climate change in Kithyoko, Kangonde and Masinga Locations. The closed and open-ended questionnaires and structured interview guides were used to collect data. Basically, questionnaires were employed to gather data from smallholder farmers’ perceptions, adaptations strategies and constrains of adaptation practices to climate change in Masinga subcounty. The qualitative data was collected from the key informants by use of interview guides in the three selected locations. The study employed Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) formula for calculating the sample size, which states that, for a sample of 36,251, a sample size of 300 is appropriate. Based on this, therefore, the study targeted 300 households in three locations namely: Kithyoko, Kangonde and Masinga in Masinga Sub-County and 30 key informants in the three locations). Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings were expressed in frequencies and percentages as well as means and standard deviation before being presented in figures and tables. The results showed that 90% of the respondents were carrying out adaptation practices in response to unpredictable rainfall patterns and 10% were not carrying out adaptation practices at all. The smallholder farmers who were not carrying out adaptation practices were more vulnerable to climatic variations unlike those who were carrying out adaptation practices as a way of cushioning climate changes. Commonly practiced adaptation strategies were growing of drought resistant crops, planting improved crop varieties, conservation practices and use of pesticides. There was need to sensitize households on climatic variations and benefits of carrying out adaptation practices. Smallholder farmers need to be provided with resources by national and county government so as to carry out adaptation practices and therefore change from outdated methods of agriculture and be able to build resilience to climatic effects.

Impacts of quarrying activities on the environment and livelihood of people in Border II sub-location, Nyando sub-county, Kisumu County, Kenya

2022-04-01T00:00:00Z

Impacts of quarrying activities on the environment and livelihood of people in Border II sub-location, Nyando sub-county, Kisumu County, Kenya Opondo, Erick Oluoch; Ajayi, Dickson Dare; Makindi, Stanley Maingi The aim of the study was to assess the impacts of quarrying activities on the environment and livelihood of people in the Border II sub-location. Primary data was collected through questionnaires, Key Informant Interviews, Focus Group Discussion, laboratory analysis and observations. Whereas, secondary data was obtained from Landsat satellite images, journals, articles, books and reports. The acquired data were analyzed using excel and Arc GIS; and presented into tables and figures. The Land use/cover change analysis from the satellite images of the area showed that quarry lands have increased by 5.2 Ha (0.26%). Quarrying activities in the area were perceived to have both positive and negative impacts on the livelihood of people and the environment. Some of the most serious environmental problems were; dust pollution (82%), noise (76%), land degradation (74%), vegetation loss (60%) and vibration (52%). Whereas, negative socioeconomic impacts were; building cracks (54%), injuries (36%), school dropouts (35%), roads damages (33%), child labor (31%) and crop effects (30%). Moreover, 45% of the area residents and 44% of the quarry workers have experienced health problems related to quarrying activities. Nevertheless, there was a significant relationship between quarrying activities and the environmental as well as human health problems in the area (p<0.05). The positive impacts identified are; employment, roads improvement, security, CSR, building materials, business opportunities, among others. To mitigate the negative impacts, the quarry operators should develop and implement an Environmental and Social management Plan, including fair compensation of the project which affect a person, relocation of near homes, environmental pollution control, public participation, scaling down blasting activities, and strict policies compliance and enforcement.

Aspects of the sustainability of the camel milk value chain and its regulatory framework in Isiolo County, Northern Kenya

2022-02-01T00:00:00Z

Aspects of the sustainability of the camel milk value chain and its regulatory framework in Isiolo County, Northern Kenya Machan, Steve N.; Agwata, Jones F.; Oguge, Nicholas O. The camel milk value chain plays a critical role as a primary foundation of livelihoods among the pastoralist communities, but it faces a great challenge in control mechanisms to enhance a sustainable marketing system. Our study analyzes the drivers and processes influencing the sustainability of the camel milk value chain in Isiolo County, northern Kenya. In this paper, we report on aspects of the characteristics of the value chain players and efficacy of its regulatory frameworks, and propose a model for an enhanced system. We conducted the study using primary data from a field survey and obtained secondary data from a desk study. We collected primary data through interviews with households using a survey questionnaire. Using a survey guide, we also conducted key informant interviews to supplement the household information. Secondary data was obtained from the literature review. We report that the camel milk value chain has three categories of actors: the micro actors (input suppliers, producers, bulking centers, processors, and marketers), the support services providers (e.g., extension services, financial institutions), and the policy-makers who shape the enabling environment of the system. Lack of processing capacity and poor institutional coordination among the chain actors and support institutions were identified as major challenges affecting the sustainability of the camel milk value chain. We present a well-regulated camel milk value chain model for the county with a focus on establishing a camel milk policy to lead to a sustainable system.