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
