Effects of Policy Networks on the Management of Common Pool Resources in Kenya: A Case of Mara North Conservancy, Narok County Kenya.

Abstract

Creation of conservancies was started to empower local communities by clearly educating and making them comprehend their rights as well as their responsibilities in the governance processes and the decisive actions they can take in the management of common pool resources by strengthening equitable distribution of resources, involvement in decision making, sound and responsive leadership and the ability to have their resources managed properly. However, in spite of the fact that management of common resources is geared towards having participation in decision making, equitable distribution of resources, fair representation in management, uniform application of rules, there has been outstanding gaps in the management of resources informed by the patriarchal and elite capture of resources where only a few benefit in the expense of many commoners. As a result of elite capture, Perpetration of economic sabotage and continuous economic growth of inequality has led to death, maiming and destruction of property in the Mara North Conservancy, 10 people for the last year have been injured, averagely 2 people killed and as a result property worth 10,000,000 Kshs lost yearly.This has led to persistence leadership wrangles, through demonstrations, court cases, conflicts, deaths and injuries occasioned by inequity among stakeholders in the management of common resources. The main objective of this study was to attempt to investigate the effects of Policy networks on the management of common pool resources in Mara North Conservancy of Narok County, Kenya. The study focused on specific objectives which sought to: Investigate how governance processes within the policy networks affect management of common resources, identify how governance structures influences management of common resources and lastly to assess how the use of information, technology and communication within policy networks affect the management of common pool resources. The study was guided by Ostromian theory, policy network theory and the tragedy of the commons theory. The study used descriptive research design to obtain information from the respondents. The study adopted stratified random sampling to select the five groups namely; land committee members, Board of Directors, Employees, County Government and National Government officials. A sample of 92 respondents was selected using cluster sampling, from a population of 611 research participants comprising of conservancy administrators, game rangers, community members, managers of the conservancy, civil society groups, ministry officials and local residents. Data collection was gathered using questionnaires before being analysed by use of SPSS and presented using descriptive statistics in form of frequency tables and percentages for quantitative data. The study found out that governance processes and structures used in management of common resources were key in helping the stakeholder’s in making informed decisions on how common resources need to be managed.; and that the respondents had knowledge of how having timely access to information, communication and technology is critical in supporting stakeholders to make informed decisions and improve access to accurate, valid and clear information. The study recommended that there is need for management of the conservancy both at all levels to adequately use technology in its operation as well as involve members in leadership and decision making to help build good relations between stakeholders. The study suggested further studies is needed on the role of women in management of common pool resources in pastoralist communities and the successful execution of governance processes.