While population growth is widely acknowledged as an important driver of land cover change, the role of
unplanned human settlements is not adequately recognised. Many such settlements occur in the semiarid
lands of Kenya, which in the past had relatively lower human populations, but significant wildlife
populations. Over the last four decades, the Chyulu Hills, adjacent to the Tsavo and Chyulu National
Parks, have experienced rapid land cover changes associated with migrant squatter settlements. We
used the Chyulu Hills to advance our understanding of the nature of land cover change under squatter
settlements. We evaluated land cover change from aerial photographs and satellite images within a
Geographic Information System (GIS) and combined it with landscape metrics and community surveys.
Community perceptions of land cover change revealed comparable trajectories in major land cover types
derived from the GIS analysis. Landscape metrics showed fragmentation of native vegetation followed by
coalescence to contiguous patches of cultivation as settlements increased. Land cover trajectories under
squatter settlements were influenced by historical land policies, protected area management as well as
regional power structures. Our findings emphasize the importance of land use histories and community
involvement in evaluating and understanding land cover change. Resolution of squatter conflicts should
take cognisance of community perceptions, as well as the historical and political land use antecedents.
We recommend human and social capacity building of squatters towards non-land-intensive microenterprises,
and research and investment in ecotourism.