Sand Harvesting and Its Social, Economic and Environmental Effects on Household’s Livelihoods in Homabay County, Kenya
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Date
2024-01
Authors
Buke, Mercy
Musau, Jackson
Muiruri, Philomena
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IAJAH
Abstract
Sand harvesting is an economic activity that
has socio-environmental effects on people's
lives. The magnitude of the effects varies
from place to place based on the prevailing
circumstances in such places. This study,
therefore, sought to find out the socioenvironmental effects of sand harvesting on
residents of Kobala Sub-location in HomaBay County. Subsequently, the key objective
of this study was to explore sand harvesting
and it’s social-environmental effects on
household’s livelihoods in Kobala sublocation in Homabay County. The study
adopted a descriptive survey design and used
questionnaires and key informant interviews
as the instruments of data collection. Using
Yamane formula, the study sampled 370
respondents from the residents of the Kobala
sub-location. Purposively, 15 key informants
were selected; ten residents of Kobala
engaging in sand harvesting activities and
five NEMA officials of Homabay County.
Data from questionnaires were analyzed
using descriptive statistics while qualitative
content analysis was used to analyze data
from key informant interviews. The findings
of the study revealed that sand harvesting in
Kobala sub-location has had negative social
effects on the residents by increasing the rate
of education wastage among teens, an
increase in domestic violence, an increase in
accidents and deaths in the area. Further, the
findings have established that the cost of
treatment for the residents has risen due to
increased mosquitos breeding in open valleys
as well as in the management of waterborne
diseases. The study has further established
that water sources are negatively impacted
with increased soil erosion and depletion of
vegetation which worsen food insecurity in
the area.
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Citation
Buke, M., Musau, J., & Muiruri, P. (2024). Sand harvesting and its social, economic and environmental effects on household’s livelihoods in Homabay County, Kenya. International Academic Journal of Arts and Humanities, 1(4), 40-60.