Factors determining community participation in afforestation projects in River Nyando basin, Kenya

Abstract

Factors determining community participation in afforestation projects were investigated. Data was collected from 150 respondents who were selected from a sample population of 1,928 households using systematic random sampling technique. Data was collected using a standardized questionnaire, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Chi-square (χ²) test was used to establish the relationship between community participation (dependent variable) and socio-cultural, economic and environmental factors (independent variables) and also to test the strength of the relationship. The results of the study indicated that there was a strong positive relationship between community participation and the benefits obtained from the afforestation projects (χ² α 0.05 = 0.000). There was also a positive relationship between environmental degradation and community participation in the afforestation projects (χ² α 0.05 = 0.001). However, there was no relationship between community participation and cultural factors (χ² α 0.05 = 0.824). There was also no relationship between respondents’ household status and community participation in the afforestation projects (χ² α 0.05 = 0.156). The study concluded that for conservation projects to succeed, socio-economic benefits must be tangible to the project participants/ beneficiaries.

Key words: Community participation, afforestation projects, Nyando river basin, Kenya.