THE UNIVERSITY OF LEIPZIG

It is imperative to appreciate that, the varied responses also emanated from the different
ecological divisions and zones of the district. For instance, in Shinyalu, Mulimani, Shitsiulio
and Mushifumbi, there was a higher appreciation of the Kakamega forest as an area of
agricultural potential. This has a strong connotation with the agrarian economy in these areas.
There areas are characterised by pockets of medium plantations for the cash crop economy in
this province. Small plantations of tea are a common facet of the livelihood and income
patterns in these areas. As a result, there is a more indirect relationship between peoples’
livelihood and agriculture. There is a general demand for agricultural land in these areas. 602
Therefore, it should be noted that such a populace perceives the forest as a destination of rich
agricultural potential. However, when probed further about other related gains from the forest,
there was an exposition of a wider appreciation of the forest biodiversity, unwittingly
portraying a less personalised attachment to the forest benefits. One such opinion was
highlighted in a focus group discussion. One participant mentioned that the forest was
important in the maintenance of the hydrological cycle and therefore conservation of the
forest was important in order to maintain supplies of rainfall. Another participant added that
the forest was a good habitat for rare species of plants and animals. This answer was widely
construed by the researcher as the one of the many common definitions of the Kakamega
forest environment.
Although people in Kakamega have less detailed scientific knowledge about the forestry
biodiversity, more people held accurate beliefs about details of the different types of animals
and plants that were found in Kakamega forest. Many of them intimated to this researcher that
some of the most rare plants and animals were found in Kakamega forest. For example, they
mentioned that the most rare species of Kolobus-monkeys, Agama-lizards and frogs are found
in Kakamega forest. Respondents appeared to have a wider knowledge base regarding the
role of Kakamega forest in hosting a variety of rare species. They argued that these species
were also found to be of varied significances among the Luhya people of Kakamega.
This feat may also have been due to the extension program that has been implemented by
various community user groups as the wider aims of the community forestry education
programme. In a separate interview with the council of the village elders, it was revealed that
the importance of rare species of plants and animals are explained to the children by their
parents, grandparents and related clansmen, at an early stage, in order enable new generations
recognise the need to appreciate the importance of the forest. 603
In the same survey respondents were provided with a matrix of animals that are perceived to
be of great significance to the communities around Kakamega forest. Respondents were
asked to inform the researcher their relationship with the said animals to the community. The
animals included snakes, monkeys, frogs, lions, buffaloes and lizards and termites among
602 Nambiro, E and Becker. 2005. Land use and Cropping Intensity in Western Kenya: Driving forces and
Implications on resource quality and Rural Welfare. In The Global Food and Product Chain-Dynamics,
Innovations, Conflicts, Strategies edited by Thiekles, E et al., International Research on Food Security ,
Natural Resource and Rural Development; book of Abstracts. Stuttgart: Tropentag.
603 FGD with Council of Village Elders, 12 July 2006.
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