SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION OF PROSOPIS JULIFLORA ON THE LIVELIHOODS OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN GARISSA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

By policy, introduction of Prosopis Juliflora (Mathenge) was supported by its resilience, notably with standing harsh climatic conditions, a fast rate of growth as well as diversified benefits ranging from animal to human food such as honey and medicines. Prosopis Juliflora has spread over a large area in the arid and semi-arid regions in Kenya. There is no conclusive empirical evidence on the socio-economic impact of Prosopis Juliflora on the livelihoods of the communities in which it has grown in. Given the debate over the plant in Kenya, whether to uproot or maintain the plant, this study is timely in establishing its socio-economic benefits with an aim of providing policy recommendations based on the experience of the affected people. Besides, there lacks of satisfactory empirical focus on the study with the previous studies indicating research gaps. The study was anchored on the Sustainable Livelihood Framework, Capacities and Vulnerabilities Analysis (CVA) Framework and Institutional theory. The current study sought to examine the socio-economic contribution of Prosopis Juliflora to the livelihood of local communities in areas which are invaded by the plant, in this study, Garissa County, Kenya. Specifically, the study established the contribution of prosopis Juliflora on improving livestock production, household’s diversification of income and household’s ownership and access to productive assets in Garissa County, Kenya and its link to livelihood. A descriptive research design was adopted with the study targeted Local Administrative Officers of the wards in Fafi Sub-County, the 7 sub counties and 23,671 households of Fafi Sub County in Garissa County, Kenya. The study targeted the heads of households. The sample size was 384 households randomly sampled from the area of study. The study results revealed that all the prosopis juliflora dimensions of contribution had a positive and significant relationship with livelihood of local communities in Garissa County, Kenya. However, the magnitude of the contribution was different for the specific prosopis juliflora dimensions.  The prosopis juliflora households’ diversification and finally the ownership and access to productive assets on the livelihood of local communities in Garissa County, Kenya. Consequently, this study provides national and county governments with insights of how to improve livelihood of local communities through prosopis juliflora. The study recommended that national and county governments should adopt a policy of enhancing prosopis juliflora positive contribution to go a long way for improvement of livelihood of local communities in Garissa County and other arid and semi-arid areas in Kenya.

Key Words: Improving Livestock Production, Income Diversification, Ownership and Access to productive assets, Livelihood, Kenya