AN ANALYSIS OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF LAND TENURE PRACTICES AMONG THE MAASAI COMMUNITY IN NGONG DIVISION, KAJIADO COUNTY,KENYA

Abstract

Pastoral groups have undergone several changes in their lifestyle. In particular, the characteristic land tenure systems have changed from communal to individual ownership. The socioeconomic effects linked with the changes have not been adequately treated in previous discussions on the subject. This is the gap that the researcher sought to fill by analyzing the socio-economic effects of the land tenure practices among the maasai community in Ngong Division, Kajiado County. To achieve this, the study specifically aimed at: (i)Describing the land tenure system among the Maasai in Ngong Division, Kajiado County, (ii)Analyzing factors affecting the land tenure system among the Maasai in Ngong Division, Kajaido County, (iii)Assessing socio-economic effects of the changes in land tenure practices among the Maasai in Ngong Division, Kajiado County and (iv) Assessing the measures put in place to address socio-economic effects of changing land tenure system among the Maasai in Ngong Division Kajaido County.The study had four specific objectives namely: to describe the land tenure system among the Maasai in Ngong Division, Kajiado County; to analyze factors affecting the land tenure system among the Maasai in Ngong Division, Kajaido County; to assess socio-economic effects of the changes in land tenure practices among the Maasai in Ngong Division, Kajiado County and finally to assess measures put in place to address socio-economic effects of land tenure system among the Maasai in Ngong Division Kajaido County. The study employed a descriptive design. The methods for data collection in this study included semi structured questionnaires, Focused Group Discussion and key informant interviews. The sample size for the study was 120 respondents which was done through a purposive sampling. The study revealed that Communal land ownership is still being practiced among the Maasai in Ngong Division, Kajiado County though there is adoption of other new types of land ownership especially individual land tenure system. Also, as the study found out, the Maasai community is experiencing constant changes especially on land tenure system which is being fueled mainly by economic factors, population growth, government policies and climatic changes. These changes have altered the livelihood and lifestyles of the community members and have also brought in other negative impacts which have been compounded by lack of adequate measures put in place to deal with the changes hence enhancing. However, there are some positive impacts associated with the changes such as intermarriages, infrastructural development among others. The study recommended that appropriate measures should be put in place to deal with the negative effects of changes in land tenure systems. These measures can include, sensitization of the community members on the value of land, dangers of uncontrolled sale of land, training in good land management, encouraging income generating activities and other measures to deal with poverty. The study also recommended that the maasai community should be encouraged on agricultural diversification and that the National Government through the National Land Commission in consultation with the County Government, should formulate policies which will protect families from selling of all their ancestral land.