Browsing by Author "Cheloti,Becky Mulemia"

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    Wildlife Trade and Transnational Organized Crime in Kenya: Case of Kajiado County
    (Kenyatta University, 2024-04) Cheloti,Becky Mulemia
    Wildlife trade is a significant global issue, with organized criminal networks playing a critical role in driving this illicit trade. This study focused on the illegal wildlife trade and Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) networks in Kajiado County, Kenya. The study aimed to examine Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) on local communities, wildlife populations, and the broader ecosystem, and explored potential solutions and interventions for addressing TOC, and the IWT in Kajiado County. The study was grounded in the crime as a business perspective theory. A mixed methods research design was adopted in the study, which had both qualitative and quantitative approaches in data collection and analysis. The target population consisted of household heads as representatives of the local communities, law enforcement officials, wildlife experts, traffickers, poachers, and buyers, comprising a sample size of 398. Data was collected through quantitative and qualitative methods, including a survey, Focus Group Discussions, and interviews with law enforcement officials, conservationists, and community members, using questionnaires, key informant interview guides, and focus group discussion guides, which was piloted in Taita Taveta County with a pre-test size of 3 percent of the sample size. Data validity was ensured through content, construct, and criterion validity, with data reliability being ensured through inter-rater, test-retest, and internal consistency corroboration. Data presentation was done through measures such as percentages and frequencies in tables and charts. Observations were recorded in plates as images. Above all, in undertaking the study, the researcher upheld the ethical considerations that guided research processes, prerequisites as outlined by Kenyatta University. The findings shed light on the intricate dynamics of illegal wildlife activities in Kenya's Kajiado County. Economic factors driving illegal wildlife activities, such as poverty, lack of alternative livelihoods, and lucrative profits from wildlife trade, are identified as significant contributors to the persistence of wildlife crime in Kajiado County. The study underscores the importance of conservation efforts in combating illegal wildlife trade, including community-based conservation initiatives,and wildlife habitat protection measures. The study unravels critical insights into the species targeted, methodologies employed, market destinations, the role of local communities, law enforcement and prosecution issues, economic driving forces, conservation endeavors, wildlife population trends, the policy and legal framework, and community perceptions and attitudes. Additionally, the study explores potential solutions and interventions for mitigating wildlife trade in Kenya. These findings serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, conservation organizations, and local communities in devising effective strategies to combat these challenges. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of comprehensive conservation strategies that protect a wide range of wildlife species, from iconic elephants and rhinos to lesser-known yet ecologically significant creatures. Furthermore, the study highlights the intricate interplay between human communities and wildlife activities, emphasizing the need for balanced conservation efforts, tailored engagement and education strategies, conflict resolution mechanisms, and environmentally conscious practices. The study recommends on strengthening legal framework, fostering international collaborationand promoting sustainable livelihoods