Forest Biodiversity: Assessment of Forest Policy Environment in Kenya

Kenya’s forest policy has historically prioritised plantation forestry, often at the cost of biodiversity conservation. While indigenous forest conservation efforts began in the 1980s, with notable initiatives like the Kenya Indigenous Forest Conservation Programme (KIFCON) in the 1990s, biodiversity data collection remains minimal. Reforms under the Forest Act 2005 (revised 2016) sought to enhance biodiversity conservation but have yet to be effectively implemented. This report highlights the role of various stakeholders in managing and protecting forest ecosystems. It looks at how forest-adjacent communities, through Community Forest Associations, continue prioritising plantations for income and food at the expense of biodiversity. It captures the weak collaboration among stakeholders like the Kenya Forest Service and Water Resources Authority and how the underutilisation of biodata for monitoring exacerbates the issue. The report proposes closing the gap in forest biodiversity recording and management, especially from the perspective of planning practices and attitude change.