Abstract:
Land use plans have been considered as a solution to land use problems. Existing studies
have reported cases of non-adherence to the plan though limitedly considered assessing
their implementation at village level. Implementation of the land use plan relies on how
sufficient are the allocated land use zones, if the land use groups adhere to the plan and
whether the available strategies enhance adherence to the land use plan. This study was
designed to empirically identify land use implementation problems and suggest solutions
relevant to the land users, the government, planners and other stakeholders. Primary data
were collected through household survey of 120 respondents from two villages, key
informants, focus group discussions and field observation survey while secondary data
were collected through review of guidelines for land use planning, village land use plans,
district land use framework, books and journals. Information used to assess sufficiency of
land use zones and strategies used in Village Land Use Plan (VLUP) from household
survey and village records were descriptively analysed. GPS points to examine adherence
to VLUPs were analysed using Kappa statistic. Factors influencing adherence to VLUPs
were analysed using binary logistical regression and pair-wise ranking. Findings showed
that the allocated zones were insufficient for the current and future needs whereby 90% of
the respondents declared insufficiency of the allocated zones. Discrepancies were noted in
the size of land in the VLUP document and those digitised via Arcview GIS. Kappa
analysis resulted to moderate adherence with kappa coefficient of 0.47 and 0.49 for Iragua
and Kichangani villages. Corruption of village leaders, failure of village leaders to
implement, lack of awareness on land use plans and increased population were the key
prioritised factors that affected adherence to land use plans. The study recommends a
review of the zoning standards to enhance sufficiency of allocated zones; privatization of
grazing land; establishment of communal grazing management plans; and involvement of communities in developing complete plans. The study also recommends close monitoring;
reviewing of VLUPs; enforcement of good governance; establishing incentive schemes;
offering
continuous
education
and
awareness,
and
developing
participatory
implementation framework with clearly stipulated roles, strategies, milestones and
indicators as well as resource mobilisation strategy.
