Land Disputes and the Consequences on Socio-Economic Activities of Households in Chiakariga Ward, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya
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Date
2025-09
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
Demand for food, population growth and climate change have put pressure on land
resources, resulting in emerging land disputes and conflicts globally when not
resolved on time. In African countries, about 80% of the population resides in rural
areas where they carry out agricultural activities. Kenya witnessed inter-ethnic
conflicts in 2007 triggered by post-election violence, access and control of land
resources. This prompted the Government of Kenya to accelerate titling programs to
provide security of tenure to mitigate the effects of conflicts. Tharaka-Nithi was
among the counties that benefitted from the titling program. The objective of this
study, therefore, was to investigate the consequences of land disputes on social and
economic development in Chiakariga ward, Tharaka-Nithi County. The study
investigated the sources of land disputes, the consequences of these land disputes on
social and economic development and the local informal procedures adopted by the
households to resolve land disputes. The study used descriptive research design
targeting 1598 households affected by land disputes. Purposively sampling technique
identified Chiakariga ward, Tharaka-Nithi County, where the demarcation of land was
in progress raising many land disputes. The study was guided by both eco-violence
and honey pot theories. A Sample of 85 households was selected using systematic
random sampling out of 94 targeted, where open and closed ended structured
questionnaires were administered to the respondents to collect quantitative data. Three
focus group discussions (FGDS) and ten key informants with in-depth knowledge and
experience in land disputes were purposely sampled to collect qualitative data which
was analyzed by creating themes around the study objectives. These three research
methods were used to collect primary data. Secondary data was obtained from
journals, reports from MLPP and County reports. Quantitative data was analyzed in
terms of percentages and summarized into frequency distribution tables, bar graphs
and pie-charts. It was then, followed by a brief explanation. The study according to
objectives concluded that land claims, boundary issues, succession of land, sale of
land, use of land, size of land, politics and discrimination of women were sources of
land disputes. The study further concluded that the existence of land disputes affected
household social economic activities in terms of income, food production and nature
of houses constructed within the ward. The study further concluded that the
households affected by the land disputes adopted local informal strategies to mitigate
the consequences of the land disputes. Mostly they used the MLPP 96.8%, the
Ministry of Interior Coordination to resolve their land disputes 93.6% and exceptional
Environment and Land High Court 85%. Other households used traditional methods
through community clan elders and traditional oathing 95% as an alternative form of
dispute resolution mechanism. The study recommended that the national government
to strengthen and formalize land allocation procedures, encourage marking of
physical boundaries, promote gender equity, improve succession and sale of land
procedures and encourage traditional methods as alternative dispute resolution
mechanisms to resolve land disputes amicably. Findings from the study are beneficial
to stakeholders in the land sector and policymakers in the county and national
government to make decisions that minimize causes of land disputes and quick
resolutions when they occur to spur social and economic developments
Description
A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Geography in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts in Geography in the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences of Kenyatta University, September, 2025
Supervisor:
1.Philomena Muiruri
2.Jackson Musau