CONTRIBUTION OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION IN KAKAMEGA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Environmental degradation and loss of resources that requires conservation is a pressing developmental issue. The scope of study Public participation is emphasized as a factor by Public participation bill 2018 and remains a critical determinant in environmental conservation in Kakamega County to safeguard the environment against further degradation The overall objective of the study was to evaluate the contribution of public participation in environmental conservation .The specific objectives of the study were (i) to Determine the individual household’s participation in environmental conservation in Kakamega County; (ii) to Examine the influence of governmental and non-governmental actors on public participation in environmental conservation in the County and (iii) to Evaluate strategies in public participation, influence in environmental Conservation. Corresponding research questions were developed to guide the study. The literature reviewed revealed key gaps in that little had been done by way of evaluating public participation in conservation. Key theories and models reviewed, Hardins ‘Tragedy of commons”, “Primary Environmental Care” and the “Ladder of Citizen Participation” selected to underpin the research. The study design was descriptive and evaluation survey; with inferential aspects to evaluate how independent and dependent variables affected public participation in conservation. Three sub counties were selected as study area. Data were collected using random, probabilistic sampling techniques, quantitative and qualitative tools, namely questionnaire, KII Interview Guides, FGD Guide and Direct Observation Guide. The sample size was 384 households responded, the sampling strategy was clustered/multistage, employing both purposive and non-purposive techniques. Ethical issues were observed, by the lead researcher and research assistants. Descriptive statistics were generated using SPSS v20, and a 3-point public participation ranking score to measure the level of participation, based on the model provided in literature. The first objective found that livelihood factors of individual households result in a low level (30%) of the public participation, which points out to a 10% degree of contribution; the second objective pointed out that governmental actors influence public participation at a 20% level; and that non-governmental actors influence the public to participate at a 10% level, translating to a 30% contribution.. The third objective’s findings were that a strong political will at all levels and a congenial economic environment is necessary to effect measures to mitigate environmental degradation. The correlation between the level of education and knowledge of any environmental committees in the community was significant at (R=0.147; P=0.5) indicating a high correlation of level of education and environmental committees and initiatives. the Pearson moments correlation between personal initiatives to protect rivers and forests and perception on importance of environmental committees in Kakamega county was high at (R= 0.101; P=0.5). The findings reveal that the process of interaction between service providers or project implementers and the community with the aim of improving decision making during the planning, design, implementation and evaluation phases of the project is key to environmental conservation. The study recommends that constant monitoring and regular evaluation of all stakeholder participation be legislated, adopted and implemented.