Human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) have become more frequent and severe over recent decade as a result of human population growth, expansion of agricultural and industrial activities which together have led to increased human encroachment on uninhabited and areas meant for wild animals. This study focused on the typology of human-wildlife conflicts in Kieni West Sub-County, Kenya. This study used a descriptive survey design. The target population of the study was 2340 households drawn from three v i l l a g e s namely: Amboni, Bendeni and Njeng'u. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedules for key informants, participant observations and focus group discussions. Collected data was later analyzed using descriptive statistics in form of frequencies, percentages, chi-squared tests and spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Different types of human-wildlife conflicts and their occurrences were analyzed by frequencies and percentages. Chi-squared test was used to compare different variables while Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to establish the relationship between variables. Information given by key informants and opinions by local leaders was analyzed thematically. Data was presented by frequency tables, figures, percentages and texts in a descriptive way. The findings of this study showed that the local communities in Kieni County encountered with various types of human-wildlife conflicts including human injuries and threats (3%), crop damage (53%), livestock predation (23%), disease transmission to livestock (16%) and property damage (5%). The observed difference in types of humanwildlife conflicts was significant (X 2 =248.7, df=5, P˂0.001).
Humans and wildlife share resources in natural habitats resulting to increased human-wildlife conflicts both in frequency and severity across the world. HWC are serious in where ecosystem services are shared between humans and wildlife animals, exceptionally around areas that are protected. The objective of the study was to investigate the socio-economic impacts of human-wildlife conflicts in Kieni Sub-County, Kenya. A descriptive survey design was used in this study. Data collection was done using questionnaires administered to 71 households that were selected using simple random sampling technique. Participant field observations, interview schedules together with focus group discussions were also used. Analysis of data was done by use of descriptive statistics in form of frequencies and percentages. Information gathered from key informants was analyzed thematically. Results of the study revealed that human-wildlife conflicts resulted to both social and economic consequences including safety among the local communities, livestock predation, disease transmission and damage of property. The study concludes that human-wildlife conflicts had a substantial social and economic impact on the local communities of Kieni Sub-County through loss of crops, loss of animals, loss of income as a result of disease control and treatment, human injuries and inconveniences while protecting both crops and livestock not to be attacked by the wild animals.
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