Community Participation and Performance of Forest Conservation Projects: a Case of Kodera Community Forest Association in Rachuonyo South Sub-county, Homa Bay County – Kenya

Abstract

The increasing significance of encouraging community engagement has emerged as a crucial focal point in both the realm of governance and the administration of forests and other natural resources. Forests hold economic, social, and environmental value, contributing to the enhancement of natural systems within the environment and the improvement of living standards. This is evident as about 1.7 billion people, both directly and indirectly, derive their livelihoods from forestry resources and products. However, despite the significant role that forests play in enhancing the quality of life and the environment, forest degradation remains a pressing global issue, negatively impacting millions of lives.In response to these challenges, communities have established Community Forest Associations (CFAs) as a means to collaborate with entities like the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) through administrative agreements. However, despite the establishment of CFAs, deforestation and the reduction of the world's forest cover continue to persist. This backdrop highlights the need for rigorous investigation into the impact and significance of community participation in forest conservation initiatives, such as in the case of Kodera Forest in Homabay County. The research aims to assess the role of community participation and provide practical recommendations for establishing an effective framework to bolster forest conservation efforts. The objectives of the study were threefold: first, to ascertain the significance of community participation in project implementation on the performance of the Kodera Forest conservation project; second, to examine the influence of community participation in project governance on the project's overall performance; and third, to evaluate the impact of community involvement in monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of the Kodera Forest protection project. Employing a descriptive survey research design, the investigation selected a sample of 200 household heads from a population of 400 households residing adjacent to the Kodera Forest, using a combination of stratified random selection and basic random sampling. The research utilized structured interviews and closed-ended questionnaires to collect both quantitative and qualitative primary data from the selected sample. Prior to the main data collection, a piloting phase was implemented to assess the validity and reliability of the research instruments, involving a small group of respondents to ensure their accuracy and appropriateness. These instruments were further validated through input from professionals and supervisors, and the alpha coefficients obtained indicated a high level of internal consistency, demonstrating the reliability of the tools to measure the study's objectives. The study's findings revealed that community participation in needs analysis, project xi implementation, and governance exhibited a positive and statistically significant correlation with forest performance. Conversely, community involvement in monitoring and evaluation activities did not show a statistically significant relationship with improved performance. These findings underscore the importance of involving local communities in the early stages of project planning and decision-making to enhance project outcomes and sustainability. Additionally, they emphasize the need to strengthen community engagement in project governance and monitoring activities to achieve more effective forest conservation outcomes. In conclusion, as the demand for sustainable forest management intensifies, understanding the dynamics of community participation becomes paramount. This research sheds light on the multifaceted relationship between community involvement and forest conservation, providing insights for policy-makers, practitioners, and stakeholders to optimize strategies that enhance forest protection, local livelihoods, and environmental well-being.