THE UNIVERSITY OF LEIPZIG

Giddens notes that linking agency and structures emphasizes how structures, rules and norms
emerge as products of peoples’ practices and interactions with their environments, both
intended and unintended. 19 However, such interactions and values are rarely articulated to
give an insight into the social, and other related processes, underlying the varied
manifestations of biodiversity in either the natural or the human influenced environments.
These limitations, therefore, demonstrate the need to re-asses the conceptual meaning of
biodiversity, focusing on the local peoples’ knowledge, understanding and perceptions. We
also wish to investigate how such knowledge shapes informal regimes relating to biodiversity
conservation. Such re-assessment is of profound relevance, since it will help us in
understanding what happens when local ecological thinking and formal conservation policies
meet. The foundation for this assessment lies not only in the social and biological
intermarriage, but the likely variations and conflicts that may emerge and as a result warrant
mediation. We ought to mention that the desired balance between human activity, national
development, and environmental protection requires sharing of responsibilities, which must
be equitable and clearly defined. This must be done in reference to consumption and human
behaviour towards the environment and natural resources. 20 This also implies integration of
local peoples’ ecological behaviours and choices into the formulation of sectoral decisions. It
also manifests effective dialogue and concerted action among partners who may have
differing short-term priorities and perceptions. 21 Therefore, it is in the interest of this study to
establish broader perceptions of biodiversity, and locate these perceptions in Kenya’s resource
management regime. The research will use Kakamega Forest, perceived to be one of the
leading biodiversity hotspots in Kenya. The study will be articulated at the backdrop of the
escalation of natural resources deconstruction, punctuated by varied ecological interests.
1.3 A Brief overview about Kenya
Kenya is one of the five countries that form the East African sub-continent, others being
Tanzania and Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda. Bisected by the Equator, the total area of the
Republic of Kenya is 587,900 sq km (224,081 sq. miles) of which 576,700 sq km are covered
by the land surface while 11,200sq kms are covered by water excluding inland waters mostly
Lake Turkana and part of Lake Victoria as well as the great rift valley lakes like Baringo,
Naivasha and Magadi.
Kenya’s biodiversity is closely linked to the country’s unique topography. The most
noticeable physical feature is the East African Rift Valley which runs from the Lake Turkana
in the north to Lake Natron at the Tanzania border. These landforms substantially influence
19
Giddens,A. 1999. The constitution of Society :An outline of the theory of Structuration. Cambridge: polity
press.
20
Peluso, N.L. 1992. Rich Forest, Poor People: Resorce Control and Resistance in Java. Berkely/California:
University Press.
21
WCED. 1987. Our Common Future . Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development.
Oxford: University Press.
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