POLICY FRAMEWORKS, INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT, AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF ARTISANAL GEMSTONE MINING IN TAITA TAVETA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Artisanal and small-scale gemstone mining (ASM) is a central economic activity in Taita Taveta County, Kenya, supporting thousands of households but simultaneously constrained by informality, weak governance structures, environmental degradation, and limited value addition. Although Kenya has enacted key governance instruments such as the Mining Act (2016) and the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (1999), persistent policy implementation gaps, fragmented institutional coordination, and inadequate technical capacity continue to impede sustainable sectoral transformation. Guided by Institutional Theory, Resource Dependence Theory, Evolutionary Governance Theory, and the Socio-Ecological Systems Framework, this study assessed the influence of policy frameworks, institutional support mechanisms, environmental and socio-economic impacts, and enforcement and coordination challenges on the sustainable management of artisanal gemstone mining in Taita Taveta County. A mixed-methods design was employed, incorporating surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, observations, and document analysis to generate comprehensive insights into the sector’s governance dynamics.The descriptive findings revealed that respondents held mixed perceptions regarding the adequacy and clarity of policy and legal frameworks, with neutrality dominating on enforcement effectiveness and policy-county alignment. Institutional support was perceived as inconsistent and insufficient, particularly in the areas of training, financial assistance, and environmental monitoring. Respondents strongly acknowledged the environmental impacts of ASM, noting land degradation, deforestation, and water contamination as major concerns. Socio-economic outcomes were viewed more positively, with mining recognized for improving income and employment, though access to finance and equitable benefit-sharing remained weak. Weak enforcement, corruption, overlapping mandates, and limited community awareness were identified as dominant coordination challenges. Inferential results further demonstrated that all four independent variables significantly influenced the Overall Perception of Sustainable Management. Policy and Legal Frameworks had the strongest positive effect (β = 0.347, p = 0.001), followed by Environmental & Socio-Economic Impacts (β = 0.338, p = 0.018), Socio-Economic Impacts alone (β = 0.279, p = 0.013), and Institutional Support Mechanisms (β = 0.196, p = 0.041). ANOVA results confirmed the model’s overall significance (F = 16.344, p = 0.000), indicating that the predictors jointly accounted for a substantial proportion of variance in sustainability perceptions. These findings suggest that sustainable ASM is contingent upon an integrated governance system that provides policy clarity, strengthens institutional capacities, safeguards the environment, enhances socio-economic outcomes, and ensures effective enforcement.The study concludes that strengthening the policy–practice nexus, improving institutional coordination, promoting environmental stewardship, and enhancing livelihood benefits are essential for achieving sustainable artisanal gemstone mining in Taita Taveta County. It recommends increased resourcing for regulatory agencies, community-centered governance, transparent benefit-sharing mechanisms, and stronger multi-stakeholder participation. By addressing structural barriers and leveraging existing governance instruments, the study contributes actionable insights for promoting an inclusive, environmentally responsible, and economically beneficial ASM sector in Kenya.