Sand Extraction and Land Degradation in Nyakach Sub County, Kisumu County, Kenya

Abstract

Invariably degrading land in Nyakach Sub County despite conservation efforts can be attributed to endemic indiscriminate sand harvesting. In seeking a lasting solution this study employed mixed method (Creswell J. W., 2006) bringing together cross sectional study design employing field based observations and quasi experimental design employing stream sand budget analysis. The former enabled the researcher to collect both quantitative and qualitative data on quantities of sand extracted and extraction frequencies at particular points in time while the latter enabled empirical experiment to evaluate stream sand budget analysis. Using Sloven's formula n = N / (1 + Ne²) with a confidence level of 95% giving a 0.05 margin of error, the sample size of 398 respondents, at 75% rate of return, 298 respondents were used. Employing questionnaires, observation and interviews to collect and analyzing the resultant data using Pmcc, the resultant r value of 0.95 and a coefficient r² value of 0.90 revealed a very strong relationship between sand extractions and Land degradation. Sand winning was responsible for over 50% of land degradation directly and indirectly. On of reference state and stream sand budget, the study recommended technically informed and sustainable sand exploitation alongside physical structures, terraces alongside reseeding for severely degraded land as suggested by (Oldeman et al. 1990).