Local communities best placed to protect our endangered forests

Part of Kiambicho forest which has been affected by illegal logging. [Photo by Boniface Gikandi/Standard]

As millions of Kenyans are faced with hunger following an unprecedented dry spell, interspersed with excessive flooding, the government recently called for a 90-day ban on all logging activities as it reviews the country’s forest sector. This ban comes at a time when Kenya’s forest cover stands well below the 10 percent and major rivers are drying up.

However, the ban will have little impact unless it is accompanied by an overhaul of Kenya’s approach to conservation. We need to recognise that traditional forest dwelling communities – like the Ogiek of Mt Elgon and Mau, the Yaaku of Mugogodo forest, the Awer of Boni forest and the Sengwer of the Cherangany Hills – have a critical role to play in conserving our forests.