| dc.description.abstract | This research underlines challenges and opportunities for communities’ participation in
urban forestry in Kenya which has been conspicuously lacking from urban development
initiatives despite the accelerated urbanization process taking place in Kenya.
The study looked at extent and nature of forest products and services managed and
utilized by communities, perceptions, interactions and levels of participation among
communities living adjacent to the Ngong Road Forest. Study recommendations and
policy guidelines discussed were informed by the challenges, threats and opportunities in
context of the international agreements, national policies, enabling legislations, including
measures to form Community Forestry Associations (CFA).
Among the variables assessed to address the research questions were the frequency of use
of forest products and services, income levels and distance traveled among community
members. Hypothesis testing involved finding relationship between income levels and
frequency of use of forest products and services and also the relationship between
distance traveled and frequency of use of forest products and services.
A sampling intensity of 3% was undertaken in all the seven sub locations bordering
Ngong road forest. A total of 106 households were interviewed, using random sampling
in all the seven sub locations. Key informants from various actors or institutions involved
in forest related activities were also interviewed and their view point integrated in
developing a community based urban forest management for Ngong Road forest.
Key findings on hypothesis testing indicate no relationship between income levels and
frequency of use of forest products and services and also there was no significant
relationship between distance traveled and frequency of use of forest products and
services. The forest products mainly utilized by adjacent communities was firewood at
59.4%, followed by herbal medicine at 26.4%, honey and fodder at 21.3% while the
services included cooling, shading and wind reduction at response rate of 85%, followed
by improves aesthetic at 50% and provision of wildlife habitat at 38.8%. Communities
were involved more in functional participation and rarely in decision making structures.
Participation, utilization and opportunities varied from one sub location to the other.
Potential of the forest to provide ecotourism and recreational activities were recognized
by communities in Karen, Waithaka and Ngando sublocations | en |
