THE EFFECT OF EXPANSION OF KIMILILI TOWN ON PERI URBAN LAND USE FROM 1990 TO 2020

Urbanization has caused unprecedented land use changes around urban settlements leading to enormous social-economic impacts on peri urban residents. Currently, 55% of the world's population lives in urban areas, a figure that is predicted to reach 60 percent by the year 2030. If existing urbanization trend persist, urban dwellers will hit 68 percent by 2050. In order to satisfy the rising metropolitan population, urban areas have expanded spatially beyond legal limits into their hinterlands. This has resulted in conversion of arable land to residential and commercial use leading to decline in agriculture as a source of livelihood for peri urban residents. The overall objective of the study was to establish the effect of expansion of Kimilili town on peri urban land use from 1990 to 2020; the specific objectives were to; determine the trend of urban expansion of Kimilili town from 1990 to 2020; establish the extent to which expansion of Kimilili town has affected peri urban land use and identify strategies for sustainable development of Kimilili town. Urban population increase and proximity to the town centre typified urban expansion while increase in size of built up area and change in peri urban land use activities characterized peri urban land use. The study adopted a descriptive research design. Both quantitative and qualitative data was collected from both primary and secondary data sources. Data was collected using questionnaires, key informant interviews, document analysis, and observation and focus group discussions from a sample of 384 respondents randomly selected from the target population. Data was analyzed using Pearson product moment correlation and simple regression analysis techniques and presented in tables, figures, pie charts and graphs. The study found significant changes in land use in the study area from 1990 to 2020. This indicated rapid expansion of Kimilili town from the past 30 years. The study further established statistically significant relationship between population growth and expansion in built up area and distance from the town centre and peri urban land use activities. The study concluded that the growth and development of Kimilili town has resulted in expansion of built-up area into arable land leading to decline in agriculture as a source of livelihood among peri urban residents. The findings of this study will be useful in addressing challenges arising from uncontrolled urban growth and development. The study recommends adoption of compact building system where buildings are closely spaced and vertical development to check horizontal development. The study further recommends development of policies and planning interventions to guide growth and development in fast growing small and medium towns in Kenya. To achieve this however, public participation and advocacy should be enhanced so as to encourage residents in the peri urban areas to embrace physical planning and allow for enforcement of development control approaches in the peri urban areas to avert risk of food insecurity.