Stakeholder governance and coordination challenges in participatory forest management: Kakamega Forest, Kenya

Participatory forest management (PFM) has been widely advocated in tropical regions to mitigate forest degradation while sustaining local livelihoods. Achieving sustainable outcomes requires multi-stakeholder engagement; however, disparities in mandates, funding, and priorities frequently impede coordination. This study examines institutional stakeholders’ perceptions of livelihood initiatives and governance coordination in Kakamega Forest, Kenya. Specifically, it (i) maps the institutional landscape of livelihood initiatives, (ii) examines stakeholder priorities, influence, and engagement within the PFM framework, and (iii) identifies stakeholder-reported coordination gaps and potential synergies shaping governance processes and the perceived effectiveness of livelihood initiatives. Using mixed-method stakeholder analysis, the study combines qualitative institutional SWOT assessment with quantitative ranking and comparative analysis across stakeholder groups. Results indicate that stakeholders perceive capacity building and community livelihood initiatives as principal strengths, whereas technical and financial constraints are viewed as major weaknesses. Local economic development and sustainable livelihood programs are seen as notable opportunities, while socio-economic pressures and illicit activities are identified as critical threats. Stakeholders reported notable coordination gaps, including information asymmetries and fragmented carbon governance. The findings suggest that stakeholders attribute difficulties in implementing livelihood initiatives less to the absence of initiatives than to persistent coordination challenges, including institutional fragmentation, weak communication, and limited integration of knowledge and interventions. By integrating stakeholder analysis with institutional SWOT assessment, this study provides stakeholder-grounded insight into how institutional fragmentation and coordination barriers are perceived to shape the implementation of livelihood-oriented conservation initiatives.