Socio-Economic and Environmental Interactions in the Maasai Mau Forest Kenya: A Comprehensive Household Survey Analysis

Abstract

Maasai Mau Forest contains a diversity of flora and fauna, which are a source of livelihood for the local communities and provide various valuable ecosystem services. However, it is under threat from illegal subsistence farming in the Mau catchment and its surrounding areas due to anthropogenic activities leading to deforestation. The main objective of the study was to look at socioeconomic and environmental contexts of the households to inform sustainable land management (SLM) and conservation efforts. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed with a study area located in the Maasai Mau Forest region, Narok County, Kenya, which comprises of communities living within and around the Maasai Mau Forest. The study participants included Maasai communities, with a study population being mainly household-headed in the Maasai Mau Forest, which mainly depended on agriculture and animal farming for their livelihoods. A multi-stage sampling approach was also used in selecting the sampling units, such as villages, which were then further stratified into different areas or locations depending on the boundaries. The final sample size comprised of 385 households. Data were collected using semi-structured household questionnaires. Data was analyzed by the software SPSS using frequencies and percentages for nominal data and means for numeric data. About 59.5% of the respondents were women, a higher proportion compared to male-headed households of 76.1%. The major source of education of respondents was primary education (49.9%) followed by secondary education (29.6%) while only 14% had no formal education. Sources of income included crop farming (37.4%); livestock production (28.2%) followed by casual employment (15.8%). About 77.9% of the households had monthly incomes of below KES 15,000. Land ownership was freehold with 97.7% of the land in the freehold status and an average of a freehold land size at 1.4 acres. Most households kept various livestock including cattle (71.7%), poultry (12.5%) followed by other livestock kept. Crop production declined from the past years; with maize (96.4%) and beans (90.9%) being the main crops grown followed by potatoes (30.6%) and wheat (29.8%). Food security was a main concern with 54% of households indicating a downward trend in crop production over time. The survey objectives were met, showing that there are challenges with socio-economic issues, resource base, agricultural productivity and food security impacting the Maasai Mau Forest. However, there are opportunities for investing in sustainable agriculture and enhancing community involvement in conservation. The study recommended an integrated conservation approach that addressed the economic related issues, improved sustainable farming practices and enhanced community involvement, by: Improving land use planning and its management; Improving agricultural productivity and increasing market access; and Increasing food and water security to support improved sustainability of the Maasai Mau Forest Ecosystem.