Impact of Wildlife on the Socio-economic Status of People Living Adjacent to Mt. Elgon National Park, Trans Nzoia District, Kenya

Abstract

Mt. Elgon National Park was gazzetted at a time when the local population was small and competition for land resources between wildlife and man was hardly foreseen. Impacts of wildlife on socio-economic status of people living adjacent to the Park were studied between January to May of 2003. A list of all members was recorded. A total of 84 respondents were randomly sampled and interviewed. Frequency distribution, chi-square and a logit model were used in the analysis. Results showed that farming practices were skewed towards mixed farming (χ = 150.5; df = 2; P < 0.001). About 74 % of the respondents reported that maize crop was severely damaged. Another 36 % of the respondents reported that the damage was mostly by buffaloes. Level of education significantly influenced the perception on the type of property damaged (χ = 65.143; df = 3, P < 0.001). A total of 78 % had primary level of education. About 20 % of respondents reported to have lost between Ksh 20,001- Ksh 30,000. The logit model results indicated that distance from the park boundary significantly influenced the level of damage to property. Peak periods of crop attack was reported to be in July (69.0%). Animals causing damage were spotted frequently at night (69.0%). The prevalent traditional techniques of keeping animals away from farms were use of ambers and banging of metals (46.4%). Respondents did recommend the fencing of the park boundary. Extension and education programmes should be instituted in the adjacent areas.

Key words: Respondent, wildlife and maize