Challenges and Opportunities in Participatory Forest Management Within Ol Bolossat Forest, Kenya

The introduction of Participatory Forestry Management (PFM) in Kenya from 1997 has led to the formation of community-based organizations which have come to be referred to as Community Forest Associations (CFAs). Most of the CFAs are preparing to enter into forest management agreements with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). This will confer management roles to the community with the KFS retaining the forest resource ownership right and the right to withdraw the agreement in total or part. The CFAs are formed by individual members who join by paying a prescribed membership fee. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used in data collection, analysis and presentation. Oral interviews with 221 members of the CFA and observation were used in data collection. Data analysis was done in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Study findings were presented as tables, charts and in text form. In addition, multiple regression analysis, which was inferential procedure, was done. The findings showed that participatory forest management in Ol Bolossat forest has significant impacts on the livelihoods of adjacent communities. Main challenges to PFM were lack of technical knowledge and information, poor management and voluntary work not being popular. The community, therefore, required training and capacity building on development, processing technologies, value addition and marketing of Non Wood Forest Products (NWFP) among others.