Stakeholder Engagement and Performance of Community Based Conservation Projects: A Case of Laikipia Conservation Region Conservancies

Abstract

This study examined the influence of stakeholder engagement on the performance of Community Based Conservation (CBC) projects in Kenya. Guided by theory of change, participatory development and stakeholder theories, the philosophical underpinning employed was pragmatism where cross sectional study design that adopted convergent mixed methods approach composed of quantitative and qualitative strands was utilized. Questionnaires, focused group discussions and document analysis were used to collect data from seven community conservancies dotting Laikipia Ecosystem. The quantitative strand was composed of a survey that targeted 911 conservancy members involved in alternative livelihood projects from whom a sample of 270 was selected. The qualitative strand was made of eight conservancy officials in the focused group discussion and 11 documents. Quantitative data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics to test the nature and strength of the relationship between the variables and to predict performance of CBC projects based on the stakeholder engagement. Qualitative data was analyzed using framework analysis anchored on aprioristic set of categories viewpoint based on the indicators of the variables under study in order to triangulate the quantitative results. The results showed that stakeholder engagement positively and significantly influenced the performance of CBC projects since r=.641, R²=.410, F (_1,237) =164.169 at p=.001<.05. Moreover, Welch's t-test showed that the level stakeholder engagement in CBC project design differed in the sampled community conservancies as F= 17.491 df (_6,231), p = .001), t = 19.944 df (_6,75.765) at p = .001<.05. It is recommended that external expertise should only be used as a compliment to the local one, therefore, local stakeholders should be engaged for their customary and the traditional knowledge. Innovations and practices of local communities relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity ought to be encouraged. Given the importance attached to local knowledge in CBC projects, there is need to have effective communication and outreach to and with local stakeholders, particularly the local cultural institutions who retain traditional ecological knowledge.

Keywords: Conservation, Development, Stakeholder Engagement, Community Empowerment, Acceptance of Conservation, Sustainable Resource Use, Biodiversity Regeneration

DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-4-07

Publication date: February 28^th 2021