Influence of Land Ownership Security on Land Use Changes in Mwatate Sub-County, Taita Taveta County, Kenya
Bonventure Mwanzi Obeka, Elisabeth Wacker, Halimu Shauri, Walter Timo de Vries
Background and Aims: The rising global population has increased land demand due to the increased need for agricultural and
settlement spaces. Land ownership security tremendously impacts environmental sustainability because it influences ecological
decisions. Kenya’s land ownership and land use changes nexus has not received sufficient attention. Consequently, we explored
this research gap in Mwatate Sub County, Taita County, Kenya. Methods: A sample size of 301 households was selected using
stratified proportionate and simple random sampling techniques. A cross-sectional survey research design was used, while data
was collected using semi-structured questionnaires. The Neo-Malthusian theory was adopted as a theoretical framework.
Results: Results revealed that most (85.6%) households had insecure land ownership rights. Most (64.1%) households inherited
land and had no Title deeds. Accordingly, findings reveal unsustainable land use practices, including deforestation, tree logging,
high fuelwood use, bush clearance for human settlement and cultivation, poor farming methods, and overreliance on agriculture
for livelihood. Using a 95% confidence level, Chi-square tests revealed a significant relationship between agricultural land use
changes and land ownership security. Our findings concluded that insecure land ownership influenced agricultural expansion,
deforestation, clearing of land for human settlement, and the type of farming techniques adopted by farmers. Implications for
Conservation: Taita Taveta is a vital biodiversity hotspot that continues to be degraded by human activities. The correlation
between land ownership and land use changes established by our study confirms the impending land degradation and threat to
biodiversity loss. This is coupled with the concern that approximately 62% and 11% of the county are under a National Park and
sisal estates, respectively, implying a growing threat to biodiversity loss and the need for enhanced conservation efforts in the
area. This calls for the need to address the constant land issues in the area to incentivize sustainable land use practices.
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