An assessment of Kenya's forest policy and law on participatory forest management for sustainable forest management: Insights from Mt. Kenya Forest Reserve

Abstract

The management of state forests is increasingly adopting participatory forest management (PFM), a collaborative approach involving various stakeholders. PFM aims to enhance transparency in forest governance by involving local communities in decision-making and processes. The Forest Act of 2005 formalized PFM in Kenya, granting community forest associations (CFAs) the right to collaborate with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). This framework empowers CFAs with both responsibilities and rights related to forest management and benefit sharing. This study evaluated the effectiveness of PFM in Kenya by analyzing the forest policy, legislative framework, and institutional mechanisms that support the transition to sustainable forest management (SFM). It also aimed to identify and address key challenges in forest law enforcement and governance. The study focused on three key questions: (i) How has Forest Act of 2005 and subsequent policies influenced PFM? (ii) How effective are CFAs in managing forests? (iii) What challenges in Forest Law Enforcement and Governance (FLEG) hinder PFM, and what strategies can address these issues? A mixed-methods approach was used, combining qualitative and quantitative data for cross-validation. The methodology included a comprehensive literature review, alongside data from key informant interviews (KIIs), household surveys, and participant observation. The analysis revealed gaps in forest governance, including conflicting legislation, weak enforcement, insufficient KFS funding, limited CFA involvement in decision-making, and ambiguous CFA roles. Other challenges included illegal logging, inadequate judicial understanding of forestry law, insufficient PFM benefits for the local communities, and the need for more inclusive practices to improve forest conservation and management.