Browsing by Author "Mariah Ngutu"

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    Evaluating Climate Change Resilient Approaches to Reduce Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Tana River County, Kenya
    (The International Journal of Social and Development Concerns (IJSDC), 2025-09) Douglas F. Chikandah; Mariah Ngutu; Stephen Mailu
    Human-wildlife conflict remains a persistent challenge in Kenya's Tana River County, exacerbated by the impacts of climate change, including erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and shrinking natural habitats. This journal evaluates the effectiveness of climate change resilient strategies in mitigating such conflicts by examining local perceptions, institutional interventions, and ecological impacts. Adopting a mixed methods research (MMR) design, the study collected data from a total of 399 participants, including 183 household representatives selected through simple random sampling and 216 key informants comprising 113 wildlife officers, 45 government officials, 34 conservationists, and 24 community leaders selected through purposive sampling. Data collection tools included structured questionnaires, interviews, and secondary sources. The findings reveal that climate variability has intensified competition over water and pasture between communities and wildlife, increasing incidences of crop destruction, livestock predation, and human injuries or deaths. While several mitigation strategies such as early warning systems, community-based wildlife management, and climate-smart land use planning have been initiated, their implementation remains inconsistent and under-resourced. The journal underscores the need for integrated, locally grounded, and climate-resilient approaches that engage multiple stakeholders. It recommends enhancing institutional coordination, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and investing in climate data infrastructure as critical pathways to reduce human-wildlife conflicts and enhance ecological and community resilience in Tana River County.
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    Khat Use Prevalence and Human Security: Examining the Nexus in Wajir County, Kenya
    (International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), 2025-10) Ismail Guhad Noor; Mariah Ngutu; Emmanuel Psongol Kondoltiony
    Wajir County faces persistent human security threats driven by marginalization, terrorism, and poverty, yet limited research links this to rising khat (miraa) use. This study examined the nexus between khat use prevalence and human security in Wajir County, using the Social Learning and Human Security theories within a convergent-parallel mixed-methods design. Data were collected from 398 male adults, 12 Key Informants and eight women’s focus groups through questionnaires, interviews, and discussions. Findings show that khat use in Wajir is highly prevalent and normalized, with over half of the respondents reporting long-term use, largely driven by cultural traditions, peer influence, and socio-economic hardship. Early initiation, escalating consumption poly-substance use, and weak community or institutional resistance, were identified as key factors undermining human security by eroding family stability, economic productivity, and community cohesion. Based on the findings, this study concludes that khat use’s normalization in Wajir County undermines human security by eroding economic stability, compromising health and personal safety, and weakening community resilience. The study recommends that the County Government of Wajir, NACADA and local NGOs, implement targeted youth mentorship and peer support programmes to mitigate peer pressure and reduce khat abuse, particularly among vulnerable youth. Furthermore, both County and national governments should develop and enforce comprehensive policies to monitor and regulate khat consumption in high prevalence areas such as Wajir North and Wajir South sub-counties.
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    ‘Superstitious Beliefs’ and Human Security in Tabora Region of Tanzania
    (Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies (JAIS), 2025) Benjamin Lucas Kingamkono; Mariah Ngutu; Lilian Macharia
    The aim of this study was to determine how superstitious beliefs influenced people's perceptions of security and their general health status. Its main objective was to investigate how supernatural beliefs impacted the advancement of human security in the Tabora Region. Social Learning Theory and Welsh Security Theory were used to explore how cultural beliefs shaped personal and community security patterns. The study adopted an explanatory sequential design to assess the effects of superstitious beliefs on human security in the region. A total of 204 participants were selected through a combination of simple random sampling and purposive sampling to ensure demographic representation. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interview guides. Thematic analysis was employed to interpret qualitative data, while quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study yielded valuable insights for policymakers, community leaders, and health practitioners by revealing how superstitious beliefs influenced human security, thus supporting the design of more culturally sensitive and effective interventions. The findings indicated that superstitious beliefs were deeply entrenched in Tabora, with witchcraft being the most dominant. These beliefs negatively affected human security by fostering fear, violence, social exclusion, and limited access to modern healthcare. The study recommended the implementation of educational programs aimed at promoting critical thinking to reduce superstition in rural communities. It also called for stronger legal protections against witchcraft-related violence, improved community policing, and the integration of modern healthcare with traditional medical practices.