Gender-Based Physical violence and household livelihood sustenance in Tharaka North Sub-County, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya

The paper examined the influence of physical violence on household livelihood sustenance. Anchored on the Sustainable Livelihood thinking, mixed research design was adopted. The target population comprised 58,388 respondents, including household representatives, Area Chiefs, Church Leaders, Police Officers, and NGO representatives, from which a sample of 397 respondents was selected using stratified, proportionate, purposive, and simple random sampling techniques. Data were collected through interviews and structured questionnaire. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Correlation and simple linear regression analysis using SPSS Version 27 were applied in quantitative data analysis, whereas qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings reveal that gender-based physical violence significantly undermined household livelihood sustenance, causing family members anxiety, insecurity and prolonged trauma; leading to poor health of the spouse, social intimidation and poverty. Extreme physical violence reduced labour productivity and exceptionally increases healthcare costs and eventually leads to depression. Regression analysis showed that physical violence (R2 = 0.563) was detrimental to financial deprivation most severely affecting household livelihoods. The study concludes that gender-based physical violence is a major barrier to sustainable household livelihoods. It recommends strengthening spousal awareness, mutual co-existence, and constant communication. Spousal counselling where possible is essential. promoting women's economic empowerment, and integrating livelihood support into gender-based violence response programmes to enhance household livelihood sustenance for all. Key terms: Gender-based, Physical-Violence, Household-livelihoods, Sustenance