The 21st Century Gypsum Mining Industry in Kenya: Assessing the Economic Implications of Gypsum Mining in Tana North Sub-County, Tana River County

Mohamed Abubakar Godhana; Mohamed H. Omar; Isaiah N. Sitati

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i05.88362

The 21st Century Gypsum Mining Industry in Kenya: Assessing the Economic Implications of Gypsum Mining in Tana North Sub-County, Tana River County

Author(s)	Mr. Mohamed Abubakar Godhana, Mohamed H. Omar, Isaiah N. Sitati
Country	Kenya
Abstract	The extraction of gypsum minerals had gradually been contributing to the local economy in Kenya, especially in areas where deposits of the minerals had created employment, investment opportunities and markets for local goods and services. However, the evidence on the economic implications of gypsum mining at the level of the local household and the community was limited. The present study evaluated the economic implications of the mining of gypsum minerals in Tana North Sub-County, Tana River County, Kenya, focusing on employment creation, effects on household income and livelihoods, and the effects on local business development. The study was guided by the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework and used a positivist research philosophy and a descriptive research design. The target population included households in Bilbil, Charidende and Dukanotu, together with selected key informants. Using Yamane’s formula, a sample of 93 household respondents was selected while eight key informants were purposely selected resulting in a total sample size of 101 participants. Questionnaires and key informant interviews were used to gather data. Data analysis involved the use of descriptive statistics, including percentages, mean, and standard deviation, correlation analysis and regression analysis. Out of the 93 questionnaires that were distributed, 88 were returned representing 94.6% response rate. The results revealed that gypsum mining had a statistically significant positive relationship with employment creation (r = .684, p < .001) explaining 46.8% of the variance in employment creation (R² = .468). The mining of the mineral had a statistically significant positive relationship with household income and livelihoods (r = .721, p < .001) explaining 52.0% of the variance in the outcome (R² = .520). Similarly, it was found that the mineral had a statistically significant positive relationship with local business development (r = .653, p < .001) explaining 42.6% of the variance (R² = .426). As a result, the null hypotheses put forward were all rejected. It was concluded that the mining activity had made a significant contribution to the local economy through employment creation, enhancing household income and livelihoods as well as stimulating local business development. The study recommended that local employment opportunities should be fostered, including skill acquisition to support local procurement, to promote and support investments in mining-related enterprises as well as facilitating the conversion of mining-related income into investment for the local households and the community. The study further recommended stronger stakeholder participation and responsible mining practices to enhance the long-term economic benefits of gypsum mining in Tana North Sub-County.
Keywords	Gypsum mining, employment creation, household income, livelihoods, local business development.
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 5, September-October 2026
Published On	2026-09-24
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i05.88362

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The 21st Century Gypsum Mining Industry in Kenya: Assessing the Economic Implications of Gypsum Mining in Tana North Sub-County, Tana River County

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