Assessment of the Level of Stakeholder Involvement in Kakamega Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Management on Household Livelihoods in Western Kenya

Abstract

This study assessed the level of stakeholders’ involvement in Kakamega Tropical Rainforest conservation in promoting sustainable household livelihoods. The study applied the theories of Firey's (1960) Man, Mind and Land: A Theory of Resource Use and Sustainable Livelihoods Approach. The study was conducted in Shinyalu, Hamisi and Malava Sub-counties in Vihiga and Kakamega Counties. The study was descriptive and explanatory in design and relied on a mixed methods methodology. The target population was households in the selected communities neighbouring Kakamega tropical rainforest in western Kenya. Methods of data collection included: Questionnaire, Key Informant Interviews, Focus Group Discussions and Direct Observation. The questionnaire provided quantitative data, which were fed in SPSS version 23.0. Qualitative data obtained from the key informants’ interviews and the focus group discussions was fed in NVivo 11. A rising from the research findings, it can be concluded that the level of stakeholder involvement in Kakamega tropical rainforest conservation and management on household livelihoods in Western Kenya includes; local communities are involved in the process of forest resource management, local communities are involved in rehabilitation of degraded areas, and local communities are involved in the conservation activities. The study recommends that training should be offered to stakeholders so that they can be fully involved in management, rehabilitation and conservation of Kakamega tropical rainforest.