Ecosystem Sustainability for Improved Refugees’ Livelihood: A Case of Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement, in Turkana County, Kenya

Abstract

Ecosystem degradation in and around refugees’ settlements caused a dire problem for the livelihood of refugees. Therefore this study sought to examine the perceived relationship between ecosystem sustainability and refugees’ livelihood in Kalobeyei integrated settlement. The study used a mixed method and descriptive survey research design. The study employed Cochran's (1977) sample size computation for ordered categorical data at a 95 % confidence level and an acceptable error margin of ± 4.2 %, generating an expected sample size of 137. Quantitative data were collected using a questionnaire from among 80 participants, and qualitative data was collected by means of focus group discussions involving 48 respondents. Interviews were held among 9 key informants. Thus, the total sample size was 137. The results showed that respondents perceived a high impact of the ecosystem on their livelihood as such, there is an imbalance between utilization and conservation of the ecosystem. The respondents of the study are very optimistic that harmonization of ecosystem sustainability and refugees’ livelihood is possible in the Kalobeyei settlement. The study advocates for the use of sustained supervision of the dryland forests by applying quantifiable measures that monitor resource utilization and conservation and the implementation of the Kenyan refugee bill act 2019 passed in 2021. This advocacy for the sustainability of the ecosystem in order to improve the livelihood in Kalobeyei integrated settlement.