IMPLICATIONS OF SAND HARVESTING ON THE ECONOMY OF THE INHABITANTS OF RACHUONYO EAST SUB-COUNTY IN HOMA BAY COUNTY- KENYA

Abstract

Sand is one of the major raw materials in the burgeoning building and construction industry and its mining, distribution and use bequeaths both the rural and urban population with work as miners, loaders, transporters, vendors and builders. Sand harvesting may lead to destruction of roads, dereliction of agricultural farms since road side and onsite/farms sand harvesting is increasingly becoming popular and much easier. The business of sand harvesting appears lucrative to sand dealers not minding the effect on the environment. The study therefore sought to unravel the intricacies associated with sand harvesting activities, sustainable use of sand resource in line with the existing sand mining policies and how best the resource can be used for economic productivity of the inhabitants of Rachuonyo East Sub County in Homa Bay County. The study was guided by the following objectives; To examine the underlying causes of sand harvesting activities in Rachuonyo East Sub County in Homa Bay County, To assess the extent to which sand harvesting activities have been carried out in compliance with the existing sand mining policies of both National and County Governments in Rachuonyo East Sub County in Homa Bay County, To evaluate the economic implications of sand harvesting activities on the inhabitants of Rachuonyo East Sub County in Homa Bay County. Literature related to the study was reviewed. The study was guided by the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach Theory. Descriptive survey was employed in the study and simple random sampling technique was used to arrive at the respondents. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules. The target population was 1,626 of which a sample of 489 was selected. A pilot study was conducted in the nearby Nyando Sub-County in Kisumu County. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics with the use of frequency counts, percentages, tables and graphs. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 18.0 computer programme. The study found out that the main reasons for involvement in sand harvesting activities were to obtain both primary and secondary needs by the inhabitants. The research study also revealed that lack of other viable economic activities leaves the inhabitants with no option but just to go for sand harvesting business. The inhabitants however were never satisfied with the returns they got from sand harvesting business as the cost of living was exponentially swelling against the dwindling sand prices. Another underlying cause of sand harvesting business was the dwindling fish stocks and accelerated brutal attacks by Ugandan force in Lake Victoria. It was evident from the results of the study that the compliance level was still very low hence sustainable use of sand resource is at risk. The research study also unmasked that the county government of Homa Bay is yet to enact laws/legislation on sand harvesting activities in the region. This was identified as a knowledge gap to be filled by the study. It was concluded that for easy and quick compliance with the existing sand mining policies/regulations, there should be creation of timely awareness, formulation, rolling out and implementation of the policies/regulations in consultation with all the stakeholders as one of the best transformational processes. It was recommended that serious, well organized, recognized and operational cooperative societies be formed in order to boost the economic standards of the inhabitants and to act as the accountability structures to help curb the negative sand mining practices. This accountability structure will also equip the county government with the best way of maximizing revenue collection. Diversification of the sand dealers’ economy to help minimize overdependence on sand resource thereby sustaining their sand was also a landmark recommendation. The results of the study was found to be significant to policy formulators for good governance of sand resource, environmentalists to ensure sustainable use of sand resource, to the inhabitants for better economic productivity, and finally to county and national government for improved revenue collection.