Effects of Soapstone Quarrying on Agricultural Land in Tabaka Ward, Kisii County, Kenya

Justine Ong'uti Okemwa; Dickson Kinoti Kibetu; Paul Nyaga Njue; Hanningtone Sitati

doi:10.69606/geography.v4i3.536

Authors

Justine Ong'uti Okemwa Department of Social Sciences, Chuka University, Kenya https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2087-037X
Dickson Kinoti Kibetu Department of Social Sciences, Chuka University, Kenya https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0365-9153
Paul Nyaga Njue Department of Social Sciences, Chuka University, Kenya https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2844-1613
Hanningtone Sitati Department of Social Sciences, Chuka University, Kenya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69606/geography.v4i3.536

Keywords:

soapstone, quarrying, agricultural land

Abstract

Soapstone quarrying has been a continuous activity that has altered the natural landscape, in turn affecting agricultural land. In Tabaka Ward, Kisii County, Kenya, the expansion of quarrying activities has led to significant changes in agricultural land-use patterns. This study examined the effects of soapstone quarrying on agricultural land, aiming to determine the extent to which quarrying activities have transformed productive agricultural land. The study combined qualitative and quantitative data gathered from field observations, household surveys, key informant interviews, and photographs. A proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to select 382 household respondents, while purposive sampling was employed to engage 12 key informants. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a paired-sample t-test. The results showed that while the average farm size was 2.8 acres, an average of 0.5 acres per farm had been converted to soapstone quarrying. Findings further revealed a 23.8% decline in crop production, severe loss of topsoil, reduction of pasture fields, and an overall loss of arable agricultural land. The paired sample t-test confirmed a statistically significant difference between total farm size and the land allocated to quarrying (t(381) = 12.884, p < 0.001). The study concluded that soapstone quarrying has radically altered agricultural land use, diminished grazing fields, and lowered overall agricultural productivity.

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