Authors: Lydia Odaya, Frida Nyiva2 and Evans Wabwire3
1,2&3 Department of Geography and Environmental Studies,
The Catholic University of Eastern Africa
P.O BOX 62157-00200. Nairobi, Kenya
C. Author Email: odayalydia0@gmail.com
ABSTRACT: Wetlands are important natural resources and their functions within an environment cannot be over emphasized. Wetlands normally vary in size, distribution, type and functions. They are unique; however, changes have affected their roles, functions, quality and quantity. This study aimed at examining the impact of human activities on the sustainable management of Sio-River wetland in Nambale Sub-County. To effectively achieve these objectives, mixed approach involving cross-sectional research design was used. Data was collected between the month of March and May, 2023. Cluster sampling, simple random sampling and purposive sampling methods were used to select the 400 inhabitants from a target population of 80,830. Specifically, cluster and simple random sampling was used to select householders while purposive sampling on the local chiefs and the environmentalists. Primary data was collected through questionnaires, observation, interview guides and Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing, maps and photographs while journals, print materials, internet, theses and dissertations collected secondary data.Quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Ver. 21) and presented in various graphs, charts and tables. Qualitative data was thematically analysed. Results showed that human activities, more so, agriculture degraded the wetlands by 80%. It therefore concluded that there was no balance between human activities and sustainable management of Sio-River Wetland due to irresponsibility of local community, inadequate policies and laws and lack of integrated approach in management. In this aspect, this study recommends rehabilitation and restoration of fragile ecosystems, allocation of funds for research and development and adoption of integrated approach in wetland management to enhance sustainability of wetlands in Nambale Sub-County and other parts of the world. Areas of further research entail replication of this study in other areas for effective generalization and participatory management of wetland resources to add more knowledge on to what is in existence.
Keywords: River Sio Ecosystems, Wetlands ecosystem, Human activities impact, Sustainable management, Sio-River Sustainability, Rehabilitation, Resources
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareA like 4.0 International License.
Suggested Citation
Odaya .L. (2023). Human Activities and Sustainable Management of Sio-River Wetland in Nambale Sub-County, Busia County, Kenya. African Research Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 10(1), 48-57. Available online at http://arjess.org/social-sciences-research/human-activities-and-sustainable-management-of-sio-river-wetland-in-nambale-sub-county-busia-county-kenya.pdf
