Economic Implications of Sand Harvesting In West Pokot County, Kenya

Psiwa Milka, Benard Mwori Sorre, Leonard Simiyu Mulongo and Alice Kurgat
Additional contact information
Psiwa Milka: Department of Sociology, Psychology and Anthropology, Moi University, P.o Box 3900-30100, Eldoret, Kenya.
Benard Mwori Sorre: Department of Sociology, Psychology and Anthropology, Moi University, P.o Box 3900-30100, Eldoret, Kenya.
Leonard Simiyu Mulongo: Department of Sociology, Psychology and Anthropology
Alice Kurgat: Department of Sociology, Psychology and Anthropology, Moi University, P.o Box 3900-30100, Eldoret, Kenya.

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2023, vol. 7, issue 3, 1321-1329

Abstract: Sand harvesting is a worldwide activity in both developed and developing countries. The leading nations in sand harvesting are United States of America, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, India, Spain, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. In Kenya sand harvesting is practiced in counties proximate to major urban centers such as Machakos, West Pokot, Makueni, Kajiado and Kitui. Sand harvesting is a commercial activity that has continued to be practiced a midst the rapidly growing populations in urban areas and upcoming construction industry. This has largely contributed to an unprecedented demand for sand to meet the ever-rising needs of the building and construction industry. Sand is an essential raw material in the burgeoning 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 also leads to destruction of roads, dereliction of agricultural farms since road side and onsite/farms sand harvesting is increasingly becoming popular and much easier. This paper therefore seeks to unravel the economic implications of sand harvesting among inhabitants of West Pokot County, Kenya. Data was collected using a questionnaire, direct observations and in-depth interviews. A total of 368 participants took part in the study. Findings of the study indicated mixed results. The economic implications showed sand harvesting as a source of employment 325(91.3%), low product price 295(82.6%), creates market for other goods and services 264(74.1%), and the R2 value for the structural model was .404 implying that 40.4 % of the variance in livelihood security is explained by economic factors. Meaning that despite the abundance availability of sand and the enormous harvesting activities of the sand by residents of Pokot West County, these activities were yet to translated into meaningful economic returns to support livelihood and development in the study area.

Date: 2023
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