Status of Participatory Forest Management Impacts on Poverty for Buyangu Non- PFM area Adjacent Community: Kakamega Forest: Kakamega District.

In Buyangu, the first people to settle there were Abaragoli and Abanyole of Vihiga
District and this was in the 19th Century. The main settlement of the Abaluya in and
around Kakamega forest appears to have occurred in the late 19th and the early 20th
century. The area is densely settled and the demand for forest products is very evident.
The Kakamega forest area adjacent to Buyangu village is under KWS management
and communities are not allowed to access any forest products. Despite of this, the
community indicated that they still access some forest products illegally. Further more
the growing population in Western Province is the biggest obstacle in the conservation
of Kakamega Forest and its valuable resources and services
With a growing population the choices become very limited to provide for all and
conserve the forest and its resources for generations. This requires introduction of a
dynamic management approach like PFM. Though there are social cultural differences
like young women not being allowed to sit facing old men which stifles discussions
during group exercises, there is potential to introduce this management approach.
During the survey, a large number of people turned up and showed interest to get
involved in the management of the forest. There are continuing projects in the area
by Abiota, ICIPE and ICRAF. The communities also belong to several CBOs and large
associations like the sugar cane growers association.
For the above activities to be undertaken to be undertaken, the policy, legislation and
practice of wildlife management in the country has to be changed or special piloting
status has to be granted to Kakamega forest area under KWS management.