Influence of Settlement Activities on Sustainable Households’ Livelihoods of the Inhabitants in Mount Elgon Forest, Bungoma County, Kenya

Abstract

Mount Elgon Forest has declined primarily due to anthropogenic activities. The aim of this paper was to investigate the influence of settlement activities on sustainable household’s livelihoods of inhabitants in Mount Elgon Forest, Bungoma County, Kenya. This study used cross-sectional research design and mixed methodology. The target population was 12842 household heads, 4 ward administrators, 12 chiefs, 1 Kenya Forest service personnel and 1 NEMA official. A sample of 373 household heads, 4 ward administrators, 12 chiefs, 1 Kenya Forest Service Personnel and 1 NEMA official took part in the study. Questionnaires, interview guides and Focus Group Discussions were used to collect data. Validity was determined by consulting supervisors while reliability was ascertained through piloting and use of Cronbach Alpha Coefficient. Quantitative data was analysed using frequencies, percentages, means, Standard deviation and Pearson Correlation analysis. Qualitative data was thematically classified and arranged before being reported in narrations and quotations. Analyzed data was presented using tables and figures. The study found a significant positive correlation between settlement activities and sustainable households’ livelihoods (r = .614; p = .000). It was recommended that there was a need to devise ways of reducing population density and land fragmentation leading to reduced dependency on forest products. The findings of the study will be crucial to professional bodies and institutions such as Kenya Forest service, Kenya wildlife service and NEMA in relooking at the approaches that enhance livelihoods among forest users and thus come up with strategies for effective management of forests improving on sustainable livelihoods.