Challenges to Actualization of Decentralization Forest Management Functions: Experiences and Lessons on Devolving Forestry Management Functions in Kenya

The first attempts to devolve forest management operation in Kenya started in 1997 when piloting of participatory forest management (PFM) was introduced. However, the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 that entrenched public consultation and creation of two level of government at national and county levels that provided sound legal framework for devolution of natural resources management in the country. Several pieces of forestry legislation and transitional implementation plans on last forest management including devolution guidelines have been launched since then. However, there has been limited work on performance of forest devolution processes and associated challenges.  In 2017, KEFRI initiated a study in Kilifi, Kwale, Mombasa, Lamu and Taita Taveta Counties in the Coast region of Kenya to determine how forest devolution was being undertaken and propose intervention actions to enhance devolution framework. The study was done through literature reviews on policy and legislative instruments, questionnaires, Key informant interviews and Focus group discussion. The study revealed that Kenya Forest Service has operationalized devolution of forest activities through development of devolution framework the Transitional Implementation Plans that have been signed with couple of counties. The transition process according to the findings was done without adequate consultation with county governments most of which were not prepared legally, financially and management capacity to handle forest management matters. Therefore most counties that had signed the transitional implementation plans with Kenya Forest Service had actualized their forest management operations. The study recommends that the transitional process from national to county levels should be gradual with Kenya Forest Service providing technical backstopping to the counties until they are able to effectively manage the devolved forestry functions. The counties need to build their capacity on forest management and access to financial resources to fund forest operations. Keywords: Devolution of forest management, National government and County governmen

Role of Forest Resources to Local Livelihoods: The Case of East Mau Forest Ecosystem, Kenya

Forests in Kenya are threatened by unsustainable uses and conversion to alternative land uses. In spite of the consequences of forest degradation and biodiversity loss and reliance of communities on forests livelihoods, there is little empirical data on the role of forest resources in livelihoods of the local communities. Socioeconomic, demographic, and forest use data were obtained by interviewing 367 households. Forest product market survey was undertaken to determine prices of various forest products for valuation of forest use. Forest income was significant to households contributing 33% of total household income. Fuel wood contributed 50%, food (27%), construction material (18%), and fodder, and thatching material 5% to household forest income. Absolute forest income and relative forest income (%) were not significantly different across study locations and between ethnic groups. However, absolute forest income and relative forest income (%) were significantly different among wealth classes. Poor households were more dependent on forests resources. However, in absolute terms, the rich households derived higher forest income. These results provide valuable information on the role of forest resources to livelihoods and could be applied in developing forest conservation policies for enhanced ecosystem services and livelihoods