Origins of Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Meru District, 1920-1939

Human-wildlife conflicts have been a major problem in parts of Meru District since the 1920s. There have been numerous cases of loss of human lives due to wild animal attacks, predation of livestock and crop destruction by wild animals in the district. Despite the magnitude of human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) in the district, the underlying causes for the conflicts have not been studied. This study therefore examined the social, political and economic aspects of HWC in Meru District in the period 1920 to 1939. The study analysed the impact of wildlife conservation on people’s livelihoods and the responses by government and local communities to the conflicts. To achieve these objectives, the political ecology perspective was used. This perspective examines interactions between political, economic, social and environmental factors over time. The research relied on both secondary and primary sources. The former included published works that were obtained from various resource centres, while the latter were obtained from the Kenya National Archives (KNA) and field interviews. Sources from the KNA included both monthly and annual reports from the provincial administration and the Ministry of Wildlife and Tourism. Oral interviews were also conducted in the study area. Forty informants were interviewed during fieldwork. Purposive sampling was used in selecting the informants. This ensured that only knowledgeable persons were interviewed. Initial informants directed the researcher to other potential informants. Interview schedules targeting local residents, the provincial administration and wildlife conservation agents were used. These categories of informants enriched the study through different perspectives to the HWC Phenomenon. Data analysis involved usage of “data cards” that were useful in sorting out data. The cards were categorised according to the themes highlighted in the study objectives. Chronology was also used in the categorisation of “data Cards.” In the analysis, the data were tested against the objectives of the study. The study found out that, while there were efforts to ameliorate HWCs in the district which included logging, poaching and destruction of crops and livestock by wild animals, the methods used were ineffective. The findings of the study may assist policy-makers to formulate wildlife conservation policies that could help ameliorate HWC, which could lead to improved standards of living in the district.