THE UNIVERSITY OF LEIPZIG

and to preserve the different forest types of Kakamega. Kisere forest and part of the northern
Kakamega forest, formed part of our study area. A total of 18 forest fragments, were declared
as Buyangu National Reserve in 1986 and fell under the management of the Kenya Wildlife
Service (KWS). The Buyangu National Reserve covers an area of about 4,270 ha, of which
Kisere covers 458 ha and the Buyangu area 3,812 ha. But the main part is still a forest
Reserve under the control of the FD with legal use of the forest inventory. 37
The areas outside the nature reserves of the FD are reserved for afforestation. Here trees are
planted because of their economic values. In areas managed by KWS, strict rules to conserve
the forest are enforced. Any use of the forest under the control of KWS is forbidden. The
government thinking is that tourism is the long-term source of income for the KWS and the
local people. In addition direct benefits for the locals lie in employments as field guides or
field assistants for several research projects on the unique wildlife flora and fauna in
Kakamega Forest. In a nutshell, Kakamega forest is governed by two different formal
management regimes and enforced by two different agencies; the FD and the KWS. These
two agencies have different protection priorities. For, instance, the Buyangu National Reserve
under the control of KWS, is regularly patrolled by game rangers to enforce the conservation
and protection of the wildlife resources, while the nature reserves at Issecheno and Yala are
controlled by the FD to prevent local communities from harvesting forest resources.
37 Njuguna, P, M. Mbegera and D. Mbithi. 1999. Reconnaissance Report on Survey of Forest Blocks in the West
and East of the Rift Valley. Permanent Presidential Commission on Soil Conservation and Afforestation.
Nairobi: Government Printer.
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