The Impacts of Land Use Changes on Livelihood of the Maasai Community in Kajiado County, Kenya

Abstract

This paper assesses impacts of land use changes on livelihoods and subsequent environmental degradation in Amboseli ecosystem of Southern Kenya.  The paper employed field surveys using questionnaires, interview and focus group discussion to collect data. Findings revealed that slight majority (56%) of residents depend on agriculture or pastoralism as their main source of livelihood, reflecting their dependence on the land and resources.  It was found that practices such as deforestation and use of fertilizers are increasing the environmental degradation and further perpetuating challenges related to environmental conservation that greatly affect their livelihoods. Therefore, these practices are not sustainable and changes must be made to new sustainable and dependable livelihood strategies.  Strategies such as land use planning; planting of trees, agro-forestry, and community education on conservation practices should be implemented to improve livelihoods.  Although policy and enforcement play important role in environmental conservation, it is equally important that sustainable strategies are generated and implemented on a local level to alleviate effects of land use changes and work towards reduction of environmental degradation.

Key Words: Land utilization, Livelihoods, Sustainable development, Degradation