Narok, Narok County – Communities neighboring the Mau Forest Complex in Narok and Bomet Counties have entered into a significant agreement with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). They have signed a five-year Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP) for 2023-2027, aiming to sustainably manage and conserve this vital environmental resource. Four Community Forest Associations (CFAs) – Nyangores, Olenguruone, Olpusimoru, and Nairotia – are at the forefront of this collaborative effort.
According to Kenya News Agency, who led the function, this plan provides a legal framework for the communities living adjacent to the forest to benefit from and conserve the forest. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) played a pivotal role in partnership with KFS and the local community to develop this plan. Mbula expressed gratitude towards WWF for their support and emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving long-term forest conservation.
The Mau Forest, as Mbula highlighted, has previously faced challenges due to encroachment and illegal resource extraction. The implementation of participatory forest management is seen as a key strategy in rehabilitating and sustainably managing the forest.
During the event, Mbula also called attention to the ongoing efforts in tree planting. She mentioned that approximately 225,000 tree seedlings were planted in Narok County, with KFS contributing 30,000 seedlings and the remainder sourced from private nurseries. This underscores the profitability and environmental significance of maintaining tree nurseries.
WWF Project Manager Kevin Gichagi elaborated on the organization’s role in facilitating the development of the PFMP for each CFA. This involves enabling co-management of forest resources between the local communities and KFS. Gichagi assured continued participation from WWF in implementing these plans, aiming to manage the forest sustainably and provide sustainable livelihoods for the adjacent communities.
Humphrey Okumu, Rift Valley Region Deputy Ecosystem Conservator, urged the Maa community to engage in tree planting, especially during the rainy season. He revealed that 275 people were arrested in the past year for illegal activities in the Maasai Mau Forest, highlighting the government’s commitment to conserving this critical water catchment area.
Assistant County Commissioner of Bomet County, Ms. Rehema Kitito, credited the recent employment of KFS rangers for aiding in forest protection. She reaffirmed her office’s commitment to working with stakeholders to enforce laws protecting the forests.
The event, which took place at Masese Forest Station, was attended by prominent figures, including Narok Ecosystem Conservator Daniel Mkung, Singorwet Member of County Assembly Josphat Kipkirui, and members of the public. The Maasai Mau Forest, spanning approximately 46,000 hectares across Bomet and Nakuru counties, is managed by the Narok Forest Office.