Level of Community Participation in Participatory Forest Management in Muguga Forest, Kiambu, Kenya
Abstract
Participatory Forest Management emerged as a response to centralized forest governance systems that excluded local communities, often resulting in forest degradation and weakened local stewardship. This study assessed the role of communities in PFM in Muguga Forest, Kiambu County, Kenya. Specifically, it examined how local communities participate in forest governance and conservation activities. Descriptive survey approaches were adopted. Sampling was done using census approach where the target group, N=150 was surveyed, primary data were collected from 102 registered MERCFA members (68% response rate out of 150 active members) through questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, and observation. Secondary data were obtained from institutional reports. Findings indicate that communities play central roles in tree planting, nursery establishment, forest patrols, environmental awareness creation, and regulated cut-and-carry grazing. They also engage in forest-based enterprises such as beekeeping and ecotourism. Although community participation has strengthened local stewardship and improved conservation awareness, forest recovery remains unstable due to financial constraints, weak enforcement, limited market access, and low youth engagement. The study concludes that sustainable PFM depends on empowered community roles, equitable benefit-sharing, and strong institutional support under the Forest Conservation and Management Act (2016).
Keywords
Participatory Forest Management, Community Participation, Community Forest Association (CFA), Muguga Environmental Research Community Forest Association (MERCFA), Participatory Forest Management Plans
Citations
IRE Journals:
Kiprono Gloria Jeptoo, Mireri Caleb "Level of Community Participation in Participatory Forest Management in Muguga Forest, Kiambu, Kenya" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 9 Issue 8 2026 Page 2118-2123 https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I8-1714430
IEEE:
Kiprono Gloria Jeptoo, Mireri Caleb
"Level of Community Participation in Participatory Forest Management in Muguga Forest, Kiambu, Kenya" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(8) https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I8-1714430
About IRE Journals
IRE Journals is an open access online journals established with an aim to publish high quality of research work in various diciplines. We have more than 6 years in publications. Over 2500+ papers already published.
Important Links
For Authors
Volume 8:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 7:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 6:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 5:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 4:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 3:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12