appraisal drilling of geothermal wells in olkaria domes - Orkustofnun

Ogola 290 Report 133.5 Population characteristicsFigure 17 depicts the 2004population projections based onthe 1999 population census. The80+70 to 74census estimated the population60 to 64of Naivasha at 103,701 persons.50 to 54Projections done for 2004 by the2004Nakuru district statistical officeestimated the population in 2004to be at 200,640 at a growth rateof 5.68%. Several studies have40 to 4430 to 3420 to 2410 to 141999quoted 250,000 using different0 to 4projection factors. This growth0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000rate is not only based on normalPopulationgrowth within the district but30000 35000 40000migration factors. The averagepopulation growth rate in Kenya FIGURE 17: Population projection by age cohortis at 3.8%. This is a typicalpopulation structure of a developing country. The life expectancy in Kenya is 47-59 for males and 48-63 for females (Ministry of Planning and Development, 1998). A high fertility rate of 7, lowexpectancy rate, and high child mortality rate are the main factors for the trend seen in Figure 17.Age cohortsImmigrants of diversified mix live in the area. These include whites who are mainly farm/propertyowners or executives, Asian businessmen, diverse ethnic communities like Kikuyus who are mostlydoing business, Luos, Kisiis, Kambaas, Luhyas and others who form the majority of the flower farmlabourers, and finally the Maasais who are staying on private land without authorization. The area’spopulation has risen from 20,000 to 250,000 in the last two decades. The rise in population is mainlyattributed to migration of people seeking work in the flower farms due to an increase in flower andhorticultural farming. It is obvious that the small settlements mushrooming are not solely occupied byflower farm workers who constitute 90%, but also small traders, hotel workers, a very negligible exlabourforce from Olkaria II project, etc.The labour composition is mostly from Luo, Kisiis and some Kikuyus ethnic communities. Most ofthe labour force that comes from the western part of the country has a tradition of living with extendedfamilies. The rise in population has not been matched by an improved infrastructural development.The rise in population has created booming business for Naivasha town, which has a symbioticrelationship with the Hells Gate location. The population boom has impacted on the area in thefollowing manner:• Increase in theft and robbery cases;• Increase in solid waste and especially litter along the road;• Pressure on land carrying capacity in terms of persons per square kilometres and clearance ofvegetation for fuel wood;• Pressure on physical infrastructure;• Degradation of property value due to overcrowding and growth of slums;• Increase in traffic volume and matatus (van public transport) to meet population transportrequirements;• Increase in lake and borehole water abstraction;• Pollution of both lake (washing and bathing at the lake) and groundwater (due to increase in pitlatrines).