Environmental Risk Factors for Farm Crime Victimization and Its Effects on Livelihood

Environmental characteristics shape opportunities for farm crime and may undermine rural livelihoods, but the strength and form of these relationships require empirical testing. This article examined environmental risk factors associated with farm-crime victimization patterns and the livelihood consequences reported by farmers in Awendo Sub-County, Migori County, Kenya. Guided by Routine Activity Theory and Strain Theory, this article used a descriptive concurrent mixed-methods design with survey data from 384 farmers, four (4) key informant interviews, and a focus group discussion. Quantitative analysis combined descriptive statistics, Pearson chi-square tests with Cramér’s V, and multinomial logistic regression. Plantation visibility and concealment conditions were associated with the dominant form of farm-crime harm, χ²(4, N = 384) = 10.00, p = .040, V = .11, as was guardianship and control capacity, χ²(4, N = 384) = 10.41, p = .034, V = .12. However, the multinomial model did not significantly distinguish whether livelihood consequences were reported as income reduction, food insecurity, or fear-related withdrawal, LR χ²(12, N = 384) = 12.27, p = .424, McFadden R² = .015. Qualitative findings clarified the mechanisms through road permeability, multiple access points, residential distance, plantation concealment, large-farm surveillance constraints, and limited resources for fencing and patrols. The research’s novelty lies in separating the environmental production of crime opportunity from the subsequent differentiation of livelihood consequences. The findings partially support the study claim: environmental conditions were informative for explaining the pattern of farm-crime harm, whereas the specific livelihood consequence depended on broader household vulnerability and recovery capacity.