Institutional Settings and Forest Conservation in Kenya

Multiple Gazettement Questions

Abstract

The study explored the effects of various gazettements on the conservation of forests in Kenya with cases of Shimba Hills Forest in Kwale County, Marsabit Forest in Marsabit County, and the Hombe Forest in Nyeri County. Multiple gazettement, which here can be defined as two or more forests with two or more institutions having separate policies and mandates, was studied to determine its implications for governance and conservation. The research examined the laws and regulations, formal (enactments and regulations) as well as informal (customs) that affect the conservation of forests in different gazetted forest areas in Kenya. The study utilised a qualitative approach, based on a case study design that was used to collect information by interviewing key informants (policy implementers) and conducting focus groups with the representatives of community-based organizations. The research establishes that the legal disputes between the Kenya Forest Service, the Kenya Wildlife Service, and the Kenya Water Towers Agency are confusing, hence undermining enforcement and decreasing community confidence. Sacred groves, tree taboos and seasonal use rules are still practised, but are in many instances neglected through a formal planning process. The results signify the necessity to harmonise laws and to work closely with other agencies and to formally acknowledge traditional practices, or additional evaluation is needed to comprehend why some respondents mentioned that it would be better to roll back to single gazettement.