WATER SCARCITY MITIGATION STRATEGIES AND SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS IN MARSABIT COUNTY, KENYA
Abstract
This study identified water scarcity mitigation strategies and their impact on the sustainable livelihoods of the rural population, as a case study of Saku constituency in Marsabit County. The objectives of the research were to determine the operational mitigation measures for sustainable water availability, affordability, and quality, to establish the set of structural and management systems implemented to limit the adverse impact of water scarcity and their effect on sustainable livelihoods, and to evaluate supply strategic mitigation plans that were implemented to extend the region’s ability to meet water demands to improve living standards. This study embraced the descriptive cross-sectional design, where data gathering was done once. Stratified sampling was utilized as the sampling technique since the target population was not homogeneous. The number of responders was 600, who were members of the CDF Committee in Saku constituency, County Assembly members, subcommittee members, chiefs, sub-chiefs, representatives of CBOs, and community members. Data collection was done both through primary sources and secondary sources. Primary data were obtained from a questionnaire that was prepared by the researcher. The data were then analyzed using SPSS. Anonymity, informed consent, confidentiality, and objectivity were observed to enhance the ethical standards of research. The regression model proved to have a high level of explanation since the R-value was 0.731, showing a significant correlation between water scarcity mitigation strategies and sustainable livelihoods in Saku Constituency, Marsabit County. The value of R² was 0.534, which shows that 53.4% of the variation in sustainable livelihoods can be attributed to operational mitigation measures, structural systems of management, and supply strategic mitigation plans. The ANOVA results (F = 89.412, p = 0.000) showed that the model was statistically significant, implying that the interaction of all water scarcity mitigation strategies significantly affects the outcome of sustainable livelihoods. Further, regression findings revealed that operational mitigation measures (β = 0.318, p = 0.000), structural systems of management (β = 0.271, p = 0.000), and strategic mitigation plans for supplies (β = 0.249, p = 0.000) have a significant positive impact on sustainable livelihoods since the P-value is less than 0.05. It is therefore conclusive that the water scarcity mitigation strategies significantly affect sustainable livelihoods in Saku Constituency, Marsabit County. In order for the county government and other relevant stakeholders to improve sustainable livelihoods in the area, efforts should be made to improve operational mitigation measures, strengthen structural systems of management, and come up with effective supply strategic mitigation plans.
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