Socio-economic and Environmental Impacts of Sand Mining in Mbiuni Ward, Mwala Constituency, Machakos County, Kenya

Abstract

Sand mining is an important economic activity and has been undertaken across the world over centuries. However, indiscriminate sand mining activities have detrimental socio-economic and environmental effects. The objective of the current study was to determine the socio-economic and environmental effects of sand mining in Mbiuni Ward, Mwala Constituency, Machakos County, Kenya. Stratified random sampling enabled to arrive at a sample size made up of sand miners, sand loaders, drivers, land owners, truck owners, and others. The study involved collection of data through observation and oral interviews were used to administer the questionnaires. The study found that sand mining has socio-economic impacts such as drug and substance abuse, increase in school drop-out rate, violence, and improved livelihoods. Environmental impacts include land degradation, widening of river channel, water pollution, deforestation, and pollution. In conclusion, sand mining has social-economic and environmental impacts in Mbiuni Ward. Mining activities should be regulated by the relevant agencies in order to mitigate the negative environmental and socio-economic effects.