Effects of brick making activities on the biophysical And socio-economic environment of Vihiga county, Kenya

Abstract

Brick making is alternative source of income in many localities. Low capital and other expenses required to start the business encourages the growth and expansion of brick making in Vihiga County. Bricks remain a cheap source of building material for those engaged in building and construction. Brick making is, however, a threat to both biophysical and socio economic environment. Brick making activities leads to destruction of vegetation cover, creation of pits and valleys on the earth's surface, lowers soil fertility and destruction of settlement and agricultural land. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of brick making activities on the biophysical and socio economic environments in Vihiga County. Therefore, the objectives of the study were to: determine the effects of brick making activity on forest cover; examine the effects of soil extraction for brick making on the biophysical environment; establish the effects of burning of bricks on soil fertility; and assess the effects of brick making on the socio-economic environment. Cross-sectional descriptive research was used. A sample size of 254 brick makers from a study population of 750 brick makers was obtained using simple random sampling technique. The study was conducted in the six divisions of Vihiga County namely: Luanda, Emuhaya, Sabatia, Tiriki East, Tiriki West and Vihiga. Primary data were collected using questionnaires, observation forms, key informants interview, Focus Group Discussions while secondary data were collected from published and unpublished information. Fifty brick sites that were identified and selected were visited to collect data across the six divisions of Vihiga County. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed by organizing and categorizing themes and evaluating the usefulness of information to answer research questions. The study found out that brick making activities have negative effects such as: destruction of the forests and other vegetation cover through harvesting of grass for covering bricks, and cutting down of trees for wood fuel used for burning of the bricks, timber harvesting and firewood. In addition, burning activity lowers soil fertility and extraction of soil for brick making creates pits and gulleys on the earth's surface. Increased brick making activities on the earth's surface reduces farming and settlement areas. The study concluded that farmers concentrated more on brick making than farming thus decreasing farm yields. The use of wood fuel for burning bricks was higher compared to other uses like timber harvesting and firewood gathering. Furthermore, increased temperatures during burning of bricks affects growing crops and destroys microbes vital for soil formation. Increased pits on the earth surface cause accident sand reduce farming and settlement land. This study recommends that there is need to regulate brick making activity, promote environmental awareness, introduce fuel efficient technologies for burning bricks and introduce alternatives low capital business ventures so as to minimize the effects of brick making on the environment.