Land Disputes and the Consequences on Socio-Economic Activities of Households in Chiakariga Ward, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya
| dc.contributor.author | Thiong’o, Samuel Kabir | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-03-13T12:58:42Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-03-13T12:58:42Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025-09 | |
| dc.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 | |
| dc.description.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 | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Kenyatta University | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/32749 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Kenyatta University | |
| dc.title | Land Disputes and the Consequences on Socio-Economic Activities of Households in Chiakariga Ward, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya | |
| dc.type | Thesis |