Dams and Displacements: Biosocial Impacts of the Thwake Multipurpose Dam Construction Among Women in Makueni County, Kenya

Owuor, Patrick  Mbullo

doi:https://doi.org/10.21985/n2-ndzt-7x88

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Dams and Displacements: Biosocial Impacts of the Thwake Multipurpose Dam Construction Among Women in Makueni County, Kenya

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ABSTRACTFor several decades, dams have played an essential role in human development. In many low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), the construction of dams remains an integral part of industrialization and modernization. However, dam construction and associated infrastructure have significantly contributed to socioecological destruction and population displacement. For example, the construction of reservoirs has led to the diversion of channels and modified downstream water flows and morphology, consequently affecting sedimentation and biodiversity. In addition, the construction of dams has led to the forceful displacement of communities, dispossession of land, and destruction of livelihoods. Despite these potential consequences on human development, interest in dam construction, especially in the LMICs, has increased. For example, the construction of the Thwake Multipurpose Dam in Kenya shows this increasing demand. With several other dams proposed, Kenya will experience one of the highest dam construction growths in East and Central Africa. However, the extent of the impacts of dam construction, especially on psychosocial and physical wellbeing in this region, are yet to be fully understood. This dissertation project considers the biological and social consequences of dam construction on women using a biosocial approach. Specifically, it aims to a) qualitatively explore the experiences and expectations of women affected by the dam construction using ethnographic techniques. Second, examine women's psychosocial and physical health correlates of the dam construction. In addition, the dissertation sought to test the hypotheses that a) women displaced by the dam would have higher depressive symptoms than the non-displaced, and b) women displaced by the dam would have higher inflammation (elevated c-reactive protein) than the non-displaced women. It combines data from population survey (n=1197), biomarker (n=285), and ethnographic (n=50) techniques to examine how women might embody dam construction consequences and how dam construction might impact wellbeing. The results indicate that the displaced and non-displaced women perceive worse health, environmental and social effects due to Thwake Dam construction. However, the non-displaced compared to the displaced in the economic domain perceived more positive economic effects. In addition, the displaced women had higher odds of reporting depressive symptomatology than the non-displaced women (aOR = 2.69; 95% CI:1.19-6.06; p = 0.017). Finally, we found no difference in CRP levels among the displaced and the non-displaced women. The non-significant results showed slightly higher mean CRP values among the displaced than the non-displaced [0.02 mg/L (95% CI: -0.58-0.62), p-value = 0.934] when controlling for the demographic characteristics including age, education level, BMI category, marital status, wealth index, years in the village and if born in the village as shown. However, there was a significant positive linear correlation between the respondent's age and CRP value showing older participants had higher CRP values, r= 0.1999 (P-value = 0.001). This dissertation argues that dam construction adversely affects displaced and non-displaced women in the economic, health, social, and environmental spheres. However, these consequences may differ across societal, community, and individual levels. Most importantly, dam construction can exacerbate mental health consequences at the individual level. Finally, it suggests that longitudinal assessments are needed to assess the potential physical health consequences and that assessing human impacts on dam construction requires an interdisciplinary approach.

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