Socio-Economic Impacts of Karura Forest on Livelihoods of the Residents of Huruma Informal Settlement, Nairobi County |Book Publisher International

 

Assessing the socio-economic impacts of the Karura forest is an important aspect of measuring the benefits of the forest towards improving the livelihood of the inhabitants of Huruma informal settlement, which is among the several informal settlements bordering Karura forest. By "informal settlement," the study refers to the unplanned establishment of human dwellings. Huruma settlement has a population of 3000 people, most of whom depend on the resources from the forest for their livelihood. Therefore, this study assessed the socio-economic impacts of Karura forest on the livelihoods of residents living in the adjacent Huruma informal settlement in Nairobi City County. Specifically, the study sought to: evaluate the economic value of Karura forest to the residents of Huruma settlement; examine how the forest’s management system contributes to social behaviour change among community members of Huruma settlement; investigate the effect of participatory forest management (PFM) initiatives in enhancing Huruma community forest stewardship, and examine the role of forest ecosystem services in improving the well-being of residents of Huruma settlement. The study employed a survey research design, targeting multiple stakeholders living in or interacting with Karura forest, comprising residents of Huruma informal settlement, members of the Karura Community Forest Association (CFA), members of the Friends of Karura Forest (FKF) secretariat, and staff and management of Karura forest. The determination of the sample size was conducted using the formula proposed by Nassiuma (2001). Both random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the respondents. Data was gathered from the participants using the questionnaire, interview schedule, and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) guide. Data was analysed using both quantitative methods for questionnaire data and qualitative methods for data gathered using the interview schedule and FGD data. Quantitative methods involved both descriptive statistics, such as frequencies, percentages, and means, and inferential statistics, such as Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression analysis. Qualitative analysis was done using thematic content analysis. Quantitative analysis was supported by SPSS version 25.0 computer software, while qualitative analysis was supported by NVivo 14.0 software. The findings affirmed that enhancing the economic value of the forest significantly boosts community well-being. Over 65% of respondents strongly agreed that forest-related activities such as eco-tourism contribute to the local economy, illustrating the forest's pivotal role in both income generation and environmental sustainability. The findings further affirm that Karura forest management has significantly influenced social behaviour change among Huruma residents through crime reduction, increased discipline, and enhanced environmental awareness. A significant proportion of respondents (55.1%) strongly agreed that the management efforts have promoted environmental awareness among Huruma residents. The study also revealed that participatory forest management significantly enhances community forest stewardship and contributes meaningfully to the well-being of residents in Huruma informal settlement. Finally, the findings demonstrated that Karura forest plays a critical role in enhancing the well-being of Huruma residents through its ecological, social, and economic services. The study, therefore, recommends that the Karura forest management authorities and policymakers should prioritise inclusive labour practices, expand income-generating programs, and institutionalise meaningful community participation in decision-making.  It is also recommended that Karura forest management adopt a participatory governance model that includes structured community engagement, equitable labour practices, and co-implementation of social programs. Further, inclusive governance should be reinforced through rotational leadership, youth representation, and strengthened oversight.  Lastly, it is recommended that Karura forest management and relevant stakeholders implement inclusive policies that improve access to ecosystem services for Huruma residents.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Kivondo Vashit Mwikali
School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences of Kenyatta University, Kenya.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-93-47485-97-8