Exploring the Effectiveness of Enforcement Structures in Biodiversity Conservation in Laikipia County, Kenya
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Date
2025-04
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Reviewed Journal of Social Science & Humanities
Abstract
Local communities andbiodiversity conservation are closely interconnected. While community enforcement structures play an integralrole in ensuring compliance, safeguarding and monitoring illegal activitiesthat are detrimental to natural ecosystems,limited attention has been drawn in researchparticularly on theireffectivenessin the broader conservation frameworks. This study examined the effects of enforcement structures on biodiversity conservation in the context of Laikipia County in Kenya. Stakeholder theoryand sustainability theory anchored the study. Descriptive survey was used to guide the data collection and analysis. The study targeted a population of 2,035 consisting of 6 Government Environment Officers, 29 managers of conservancies and 2,000 community land representatives in Laikipia County, Kenya. Sample size of 327 was obtained through Krejcie and Morgan (1970)table ofsampledetermination. Structured questionnaires, interviews and observation guidewere data collection instruments.Pilot-testing of the instruments was conducted in Samburu County to a sample size of33. Reliability of the instruments was determined through split-half method. Data was analyzed through content analysis, descriptive statistics, Pearsons’s correlation and regression analysis. Fstatistical testwas used in testing hypothesis at95% confidence interval.It was revealed that enforcement structures had strong positive relationship withbiodiversity conservation in Laikipia County (r=0.75)and accounted for 56% variationin the conservation of biodiversity in Laikipia County(R-Square=0.56). Government was recommended to institute relevant policies that will build the capacity of local enforcement teams through training and resource allocationso as to strengthen their effectiveness in biodiversity conservation efforts.
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Lenantiri, F. L.C.&Muna,W. (2025).Exploring the effectiveness of enforcement structures in biodiversity conservation in Laikipia County, Kenya.Reviewed Journal of Social Science & Humanities, 6(1), 103–112.