Analysis of Factors Influencing the Changes in the use of Transport Modes in Kisumu, Kenya.

Abstract

Previous research in the city of Kisumu looked at the policies that were put in place by the government causing the changes in transport mode choice. However, the research did not look at the sociodemographic, built environment, trip-related, attitudinal and perception factors influencing the changes in the use of transport modes. The aim of this study, therefore, was to investigate the determinants of the changes in the use of transport modes in the city of Kisumu and underlying factors influencing these changes. To help put the research into context, a review of the literature was carried out to conceptualise factors influencing the use of transport modes. It then facilitated the development of a household travel survey questionnaire to aid in collecting data through cluster and systematic sampling. Data were analysed using descriptive statistical analysis and Chi-Square test of association to produce the results. A geographical information system analysis was also used to map the spatial distribution of transport mode used by the households. The analysis revealed that most changes in the use of transport modes in the city of Kisumu occurred in the last five years. It is coupled by an increase in the use and ownership of motorcycles especially in the far-flung city neighbourhoods like Kogony. On the other hand, the reasons advanced by the respondents why they changed the mode revolved around socio-economic, built environment, trip-related, attitudinal and political reasons based on the neighbourhood (sub-locations) one resides. Also, socio-demographic factors are the most likely to be influencing mode choice in the city of Kisumu followed by built environment factors, attitudinal and perception factors in that order. The findings call for the County Government of Kisumu to work with stakeholders in promoting the benefits of non-motorised transport modes. The local government also need to facilitate policymakers to work with the local community to formulate sustainable transportation policies to include non-motorised transport modes. This study hopes to bring a better understanding to city planners in Kisumu and other similar jurisdictions on factors influencing mode choice to help them develop effective and targeted people and place-based policies. It is also expected that this study will contribute to the academic body of knowledge on the factors influencing mode choice in Global South cities like Kisumu. Nevertheless, categorical data analysis has methodological limitations inherent in this line of research. It calls for careful interpretation of the results as there may be a limited insight into causality. To this end, it would be of interest for future studies to look at multi-variable analysis in the same context using a household travel survey over large sample size.