DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2020.v08i07.008

Pages: 393-397

Livelihood assurances and sustainability are key to human survival. However, any destruction of livelihood is likely to lead to serious psychological, social, economic, physical suffering and even death. It becomes even worse when policy intervention is not put in place in time. The establishment and existence of the Fluorspar Mining Company created direct and indirect employment opportunities for the local population. The study objective was effect of closure on gender relations among households in Keiyo South Sub-county Elgeyo Marakwet County Kenya. The study was informed by the theory of Redefinition of situation. Survey research design guided the study. The target population was all the households’ heads in the study area. The sample size was 254 respondents. A multistage sampling technique was used. Data collection methods included questionnaires, interviews, and observation and focus group discussions as the main data collection tools. Quantitative data collected was analyzed in form of frequencies and percentages and presented in form of matrix tables, charts and graphs. On the other hand, qualitative data was analyzed thematically based on the specific research objectives. The average income per month after closure was too low since their main source of income was lost leaving them in despair. The study concluded that mining closure gradually depleted the mining community’s livelihood assets and resulted in the collapse of their livelihood sources. The closure affected the community’s nutrition, health, education, food security, water, shelter, levels of community participation and personal safety.