Influence of resource competition on human-wildlife conflicts among the community of Kithoka area in Meru County, Kenya

Human wildlife conflict poses a great challenge to wildlife conservation and sources of income of people globally and is increasing as human migration from rural to urban areas increases, global climate changes, development expands and other human and environmental factors put wildlife and people in greater direct competition for a shrinking resource base. The study was influenced by the fact that human wildlife conflict cases are rampant in the region and no action has been taken despite the knowledge of this. The study was based on stakeholders and social conflict theories. Descriptive survey research design was used where the target population comprised of 1200 households from 4 villages around Kithoka forest and 30 Kenya Wildlife Service officers at the Meru station. Stratified random rampling was used to select a sample size of 10% of the households heads in each village strata, while a census survey was adopted for the KWS officers making a total of 148 respondents. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect data. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequencies and means while data was presented using tables. Qualitative data generated from the interview guide was organized in themes and patterns, grouped through content analysis and then discussed. This study recommends that; The National government through the Ministries of Lands and Agriculture in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife should establish coherent policies that will protect the environment and suitable use of natural resources. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) should review its policy through enforcement of regulations and legislation on the safe distance that people should build their houses away from Kithoka forest for purposes of minimizing human wildlife conflict. This barricade bodies will help establish a human zone and wild zone and the KWS Meru station should consider reinforcing alarms on the fences to help in detection of any wild animals or people attempting illegal entry into the forest.