CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction
This chapter provides a summary of the key findings from the data analysis presented in Chapter
Four. It draws conclusions based on these findings, offering an understanding of the status and
challenges facing urban green spaces in Narok town. Finally, actionable recommendations are
put forward for the development, expansion, and sustainable management of green spaces,
leveraging community involvement and addressing identified obstacles.
5.2 Summary of Findings
The study revealed critical insights into the state of urban green spaces in Narok town:
i. Demographics: The survey engaged a diverse group of 100 respondents, predominantly
male (64%), with a strong representation from individuals aged 18-50 and those with O-
level education. Employed individuals constituted the largest occupational group.
ii. Perception and Usage: Most respondents largely held a negative view of existing urban
green spaces in the study area, with a combined 72% rating them as either “Poor” or
“Very Poor”. This negative perception results into infrequent usage of the green spaces,
as 50% “rarely” visit and 18% “never” visit these spaces. The most common types of
green spaces identified were informal “Private Gardens” and “Open Fields,” suggesting a
lack of formal public green space parks. The primary uses are for “Socialization” and
“Relaxation.”
iii. Maintenance and Sufficiency: A vast majority (79%) of the responded indicated that
green spaces are “Not well maintained,” and an overwhelming 97% believe there are
“Not enough” green spaces in Narok town. This directly supports the observation that
there is no single gazetted green space, implying an absence of formal protection and
management.
iv. Accessibility and Amenities: Most respondents took 10 – 30 minutes to reach a green
space, indicating they are not immediately accessible for many. A major deterrent to
usage is the severe lack of public toilets, with 88% reporting their absence. This statistic
stifles Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) goals and dehumanise UGS visitors’
integrity in their bid to relieving themselves. Additionally, lack of these amenities could
lead to open defecation, spread of waterborne diseases and ruin the aesthetic appeal of the
social spaces. The primary reasons respondents visited the green spaces centred on them
being “Entry Free,” “Isolated,” and “Near My Home,” underscoring basic needs for
accessibility and tranquillity.
v. Challenges: Respondents stated that “Poor Planning” (37%) was the most significant
challenge, followed by “Land Grabbing” (19%), and “Urbanization Pressure” (18%). A
high percentage of respondents (76%) believe rapid urban development affects green
space availability “Very Significantly” or “Significantly.”
vi. Government and Community Involvement: Respondents rated Narok County
Government’s involvement in green space management as overwhelmingly “Very Poor”
(52%) or “Poor” (39%). Additionally, the respondents stated that their awareness of local
initiatives was extremely low (95% were unaware of any interventions). Despite these
issues, there was a strong willingness among the community (85%) to participate in green
space initiatives. Key activities suggested to encourage involvement include
“Sponsorship,” “Educational Programs,” and “Clean-up Campaigns.”
The findings from Narok town resonate with and extend insights from previous urban green
space research in Kenya and similar developing countries. These include:
i. Existence of Gazetted Green Spaces:
My findings established that there was no gazetted green space exists in Narok. Most of the
green spaces are informal, either as private gardens, along the roads or as open fields. These
findings are similar with previous studies in Kenyan cities and towns which established that there
are few formally gazetted UGS, with the gazetted UGS under threat (insert a study confirming
this). However, Narok town is considered a more extreme case study as presently, it lacks any
legal recognised UGS, a concern to emerging towns and peri-urban centres.
ii. Public Usage and Perception
The study established that Narok Town’s green spaces are rarely visited (50%) with 18% of the
respondents stating that they have never visited UGS. A majority (72%) of the respondents cited
that the existing spaces as poor or very poor. These findings are like previous studies in Eldoret
and Nairobi, which established that UGS visitation are low but not absent, because they are
considered as unsafe or unattractive (UNEP, 2017). The perceptions of Narok residents can be
attribute to lack of basic infrastructure as opposed to safety or congestion.
iii. Main Types of Green Spaces
The study established that Narok Town’s green spaces are predominantly private gardens (41%)
and open fields (36%), unlike that witnessed in Nairobi, (Mutisya, 2015) which had a higher
diversity of green spaces including city parks, road reserves, and recreation zones. This means
that Narok green spaces comprises of mostly informal and private spaces, unlike cities where
structured public spaces exist, albeit poorly maintained.
iv. Challenges Identified
Narok’s green spaces are threatened by poor planning (37%), land grabbing (19%) and urban
pressure (18%). These findings are also witnessed in Nairobi and Kisumu cities which face urban
sprawl, corruption and lack of enforcement (Kibue et al., 2019). Narok can mitigate these
challenges early by establishing proper urban planning measures, curbing land grabbing of
public land and upgrading present public spaces and their amenities through legal framework and
resource allocation.
v. Government Involvement in Green Space Management
The study established that most residents (95%) are unaware of any green space initiatives.
Additionally, 91% of the respondents rated Narok County Government’s performance on green
spaces are as poor or very poor. These findings collaborate previous studies in Mombasa and
Nairobi, which also cited weak government support. For this reason, the study proposes that
Narok county should increase awareness on green spaces, their importance, their management
and gazettement. Additionally, they should invest in social amenities in these spaces and
rehabilitate those that are degraded.
vi. Community Willingness to Participate
The study established that majority of the respondents (85%) are willing to engage in green
space conservation. These findings are supported by previous works by Chege et al. (2021)
which found moderate participation willingness (around 50%) in Machakos and Eldoret.
Community engagement in the management and conservation of these spaces shows higher civic
motivation, indicating potential for grassroots solutions if supported.
vii. Legal or Policy Awareness
Most of the respondents (78%) were “Not Sure” about legal framework on Narok’s green space
legal policies. Additionally, 95% of them were unaware of any local initiatives. These findings
are like previous studies by residents in Nairobi’s slums (Musyoki, 2016). For this reason, the
study recommends that Narok County Government engages in active consultative stakeholder
initiatives that will enhance and mainstream public education and legal frameworks, for
prosperity.
viii. Social amenities
The study established that majority of Narok town’s green spaces (88% response rate) lacked
public toilets and WASH infrastructure. These findings collaborate previous work by UNEP
(2017) and Nairobi City County studies. The lack of these infrastructure can frustrate possible
visitors from spending time in these public spaces. Narok County Government should thus
invest in these social amenities, with gender concerns and persons with disabilities.
In general, while Narok shares some challenges with larger cities ranging from poor planning,
land grabbing, and weak public awareness, it is a unique case-study of an urban town with no
formal green space governance or infrastructure. The study proposes that Narok town should
implement early interventions in line with national urban planning strategies.
5.3 Conclusions
Based on the findings, the following conclusions can be drawn regarding urban green spaces in
Narok town:
i. Critical Shortage and Poor Quality: There is a severe shortage of well-maintained and
formally recognized urban green spaces in Narok town. The absence of a single gazetted
green space means that existing “green areas” are largely informal, privately owned, or
remnants of undeveloped land, contributing to their poor maintenance and limited public
accessibility.
ii. Low Utilization and Negative Perception: The poor quality, lack of amenities (like public
toilets), and informal nature of existing green spaces directly contribute to their low
utilization and overwhelmingly negative public perception. Citizens do not find these
spaces appealing or functional for regular use.
iii. Urbanization as a Major Threat: Rapid urban development in developing countries,
coupled with poor planning and land grabbing, poses a significant and immediate threat
to the remaining informal green areas, leading to their continuous erosion and limited
availability.
iv. Governance Deficit: The local government’s involvement in the development and
maintenance of green spaces is perceived as highly inadequate, indicating a lack of
strategic planning, resource allocation, and policy enforcement to protect and expand
these vital urban assets.
v. Untapped Community Potential: Despite the widespread challenges and low awareness of
existing efforts, there is a strong public desire and willingness to participate in initiatives
aimed at improving and conserving green spaces. This represents a significant
opportunity for future interventions.
5.4 Recommendations
Considering the findings and conclusions, the following recommendations are proposed to Narok
County in a bid to enhance the status of urban green spaces:
i) The County Government should urgently identify, designate, and legally gazette
suitable parcels of public land as public urban green spaces. This will provide formal
protection against land grabbing and uncontrolled urban development, ensuring their
long-term preservation and public access.
ii) The county should develop and strictly implement an integrated urban land-use plan
that prioritizes the creation and expansion of green spaces. This plan should include
zoning regulations, mandatory green space allocations in new developments, and
clear guidelines for their design and management.
iii) The county should investment in building and maintenance of social amenities. This
can be done through dedication of sufficient resources withing annual budgets funds
construction and regular maintenance of existing and newly established green spaces.
This includes basic infrastructure like seating, lighting, waste management, and
crucially, public toilets. Additionally, officers to man these installations can be
employed, contributing to quality and attractiveness of green spaces, encouraging
greater public use and addressing negative perceptions.
iv) The county is encouraged to launch public awareness campaigns and educational
programmes to inform residents and visitors about the importance of urban green
spaces and ongoing conservation efforts. This should also include clear
communication about existing policies and initiatives.
v) The county can promote community involvement and partnerships including public-
private partnerships for investors and academic institutions to adopt certain green
space locations, infrastructure and signages. These can increase buying and
appreciation of the spaces, their development and maintenance. This could involve
community clean-up campaigns, tree planting drives, and volunteer programmes, as
well as seeking “sponsorship” / resource mobilisation for projects.
vi) Narok county can also diversify green space types and uses. Inasmuch as “private
gardens” and “open fields” are common, there is need for development of more
“public parks” and “tree-lined streets” to offer a wider range of recreational and social
opportunities. This can promote multidisciplinary and inter-generational uses of the
spaces including exercise, swimming, teaching, socialization, and relaxation, as this
will cater to a broader range of community needs and preferences.
