This article looks at spatial variations and the relationship between land degradation and agricultural land use intensity in Nyakach District, Kenya. The main objective was to determine spatial variations and the relationship between land degradation and agricultural land use intensity in forested areas, hill slopes and river banks. Digital Elevation Model (DEM) was used to identify various land uses which acted as indicators of land degradation and agricultural land use intensity in the three physiographic regions. Digitized maps generated from the topographical maps of the three areas under study were in turn used to generate land use statistics. The results show highest land degradation on the steep slopes and lowest land degradation along the river banks. Agricultural land use intensity was highest along the river banks and lowest in forested areas. The findings imply that land degradation can be arrested by intensifying agricultural land use along the river banks and steep slopes of Nyakach District as well as other regions of the world. However, the situation in forested areas remains more complex and requires further investigation.

Abstract