Effect of sociodemographic factors on the adoption of environmental conservation practices in Kimao dam catchment, Baringo County, Kenya

Abstract

Demographic and land size owned by households often impact the adoption of environmental conservation approaches in wetlands. Kimao dam is at risk of sedimentation, considering the steep topology and reduced vegetation cover. Contemporary attempts by stakeholders to restore water catchments are insufficient due to the low adoption rate of the environmental conservation measures. The study assessed factors that cause the low adoption rate of the environmental conservation practices among households within the Kimao catchment area in Kimalel location, Baringo County. The objectives of the study were to: (i) determine the effects of sociodemographic factors (age, gender, household number) on the adoption of environmental conservation practices, and (ii) establish the effects of land size owned by households on the adoption of environmental conservation practices. The ex-post-facto research design was used. A stratified proportional random sample of 225 households was surveyed using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in a Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS version 26). The results showed that the level of adoption of environmental conservation practices was low (M=9.47, SD=4.7) on a scale of 1 to 22. The level of adoption of environmental conservation practices within the Kimao dam catchment area was found to be affected by age of the household head (β=.294, t=4.59, p=.001) and household number (β=0.147, t=2.22, p=0.027) but not gender (t=-0.648, df=223, p=0.518). The Land size (β=0.162, t-2.45, p=0.015), also affected the level of adoption of environmental conservation practices. Demographic factors act independently or synergistically with other factors to influence policy adoptions in water ecosystem management. Stakeholders need to provide sound scientific and feasible policies to collaboratively manage the Kimao dam. The findings of the study will influence policy development in implementing environmental conservation practices in Baringo County.