Sand Harvesting Effect on Livelihood and Environmental Degradation in Mbooni Constituency, Makueni County, Kenya

Purpose: Sand harvesting is one of the major livelihoods in Kenya Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) and more so in Mbooni Constituency in Makueni County. Despite the gained employment and the income opportunities, the practice has caused a serious concern among people because of its negative effect on livelihood and the environment. The extent of sand harvesting and its effect to local livelihood and environmental degradation in the Mbooni Constituency were examined in this paper. Methodology: The research was informed by the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, Human Capital Theory and the Environmental Kuznets Curve theories, among others. Its survey design was descriptive and contained 354 participants who were sand harvesters, truck drivers, sand owners and community members. Stratified random sampling was employed, and information was collected using structured questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using SPSS, employing both descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as multiple regression analysis. Findings: The results showed that unregulated and intensive sand mining has led to a decline in land productivity, the destruction of riverbeds and water resources, and a reduction in agricultural potential, necessitating the application of alternative management strategies. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: To mitigate the negative effects of sand harvesting and promote sustainability, it is recommended to enforce stricter regulations controlling the amount and rate of sand extraction.