World Scientific Research ISSN : 2411-6661 Vol. 3, No. 1, 6-15, 2016 http://www.asianonlinejournals.com/index.php/WSR 6 Effects of Conflicts over Common Pool Resources on Gender among the Residents of Lower River Nyando Floodplains, Kisumu County, Kenya Paul Okello Atieno 1  Samson Wokabi Mwangi 2 Kibet Ngetich 3 1,2,3 Egerton University, Egerton, Kenya ( Corresponding Author) Abstract Common pool resource conflicts affecting communities’ livelihoods are becoming very relevant in natural resource research as it is now accepted as one of the key factors leading to poverty and loss of livelihood, although specific effect on gender is lacking. This study examined the effect of conflict over common pool resources upon gender, of varying age groups, among the residents of lower river Nyando flood plains in Kenya. The study locates use of common pool resources like water, fish, papyrus resources, and land as source of conflict among the residents of this area. The objectives were to identify the frequency of conflict, the results of conflict, and the effect of conflict over common resources on gender among the residents of Lower River Nyando flood plains. Descriptive research design was adopted for the study, and purposive and stratified sampling technique used to select 138 respondents, who were interviewed using interview schedules. Cronbach’s Alpha was used to test instrument’s reliability, and a coefficient of 76% was attained. Gender was categorized as women, men, elders, youth, and disabled, and amongst these, women were the most affected owing that most farming, papyrus harvesting, and dairy products benefit women most in households in this region. Similarly, displacement of men from grazing fields, farming, and use of water resulted into loss of income, dairy resources, and nutrition. Women, being reliant on exploitation of papyrus, lost income from this CPR conflict due to destruction of harvested papyrus and exclusion from the right to cultivate crops on disputed land. It was concluded that there is a significant relationship between gender and resource exploitation, hence conflicts relating to CPRs have gender specific effects. Keywords: Conflict, Effect of conflict, Lower, River Nyando floodplains, Gender, Common pool resources, Flood plains, Livelihood. Contents 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................... 7 2. Literature Review .................................................................................................................................................................. 7 3. Methodology........................................................................................................................................................................... 8 4. Findings and Discussions ....................................................................................................................................................... 9 5. Discussions and Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................... 13 References ................................................................................................................................................................................ 14 Bibliography ............................................................................................................................................................................ 15 Citation | Paul Okello Atieno; Samson Wokabi Mwangi; Kibet Ngetich (2016). Effects of Conflicts over Common Pool Resources on Gender among the Residents of Lower River Nyando Floodplains, Kisumu County, Kenya. World Scientific Research, 3(1): 6-15. DOI: 10.20448/journal.510/2016.3.1/510.1.6.15 ISSN(E) : 2411-6661 ISSN(P) : 2518-0177 Licensed: Contribution/Acknowledgement: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License All authors contributed to the conception and design of the study. The authors are most grateful to all the residents of lower River Nyando floodplains for their responses during data collection process. We are equally indebted to the provincial administration, Sub County Education Officers and elders of both Nyakach and Nyando Sub-Counties whose contributions were very invaluable to the study. Funding: This study received no specific financial support. Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests. Transparency: The authors confirm that the manuscript is an honest, accurate, and transparent account of the study was reported; that no vital features of the study have been omitted; and that any discrepancies from the study as planned have been explained. Ethical: This study follows all ethical practices during writing. History: Received: 25 March 2015/ Revised: 19 May 2015/ Accepted: 20 November 2016/ Published: 3 February 2016 Publisher: Asian Online Journal Publishing Group