Abstract:
Aim: The aim of the study was to find out how livelihood strategies and socio-economic conditions
influence watershed degradation in Kaiti sub-watershed in Makueni County, Kenya, and their
effects on the environment. The study examined the livelihood strategies and options of the people
as well as the socio-economic conditions contributing to watershed degradation, investigated the
land use methods practiced and how they affect the sub-watershed.
Study Design: The study used a descriptive survey research approach to obtain data on socioeconomic
characteristics of the study sites as well as historical trends of land use.
Place and Duration of Study: South Eastern Kenya University, Kitui County, Kenya; between
June to August 2015. Methodology: The study used multiple methods such as household surveys, observations, Focus
Group Discussant interviews (FGDs), key informant and experts’ interviews, drawn from sampling
of households systematically along vertical and horizontal transect lines. Structured and semistructured
questionnaires were used to collect data from 101 community and key informants. The
data collected was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft
Excel 2010.
Results: The study established that low food production as reported by the farmers (78%) and
reduced income and livelihood (75%) were consequences of watershed degradation in the study
area. Landlessness at 39% (S.E=0.311 z= 1.311 sig.0.190), illegal encroachment at 18%
(S.E=0.555 z= -0.604 sig.0.546), and laxity in law enforcement at 27% (S.E=0.481 z=0.227 sig.
0.821) were other factors mentioned by the farmers as contributing to watershed degradation.
Conclusion: The study concluded that these conditions predisposed farmers to adopt
inappropriate farming methods and unsustainable livelihood strategies which compromised the
watershed’s environmental integrity. The study sought to make recommendation for efficient
watershed management.
