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Participatory Forest Management, Institutional Framework and Conservation of Mau Forest Programme in Bomet County, Kenya

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Participatory Forest Management, Institutional Framework and Conservation of Mau Forest Programme in Bomet County, Kenya PARTICIPATORY FOREST MANAGEMENT, INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK AND CONSERVATION OF MAU FOREST PROGRAMME IN BOMET COUNTY, KENYA JULIUS KIBET CHERUIYOT A Research Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Project Planning and Management, (M&E Option) of the University of Nairobi 2020 DECLARATION This research thesis is my original work and has not been presented in any University or any other institution for higher learning for the award of any degree. ____________________________ Date______________________ Julius Kibet Cheruiyot L83/98107/2015 This research thesis has been submitted for examination with our approval as the university supervisors. ________________________________ Date________________ Dr. Lillian Otieno Omutoko, PhD Senior Lecturer, Department of Open learning University of Nairobi _________________________________ Date_____________________ Prof. Charles Rambo, PhD Associate Professor, School of Open and Distance Learning University of Nairobi ii DEDICATION This research thesis is dedicated to my wife Lilian Cherotich and my children; Kevin Kipkorir, Ian Kipkoech, Hysen Cherono and Kane Kipngeno who have been very inspirational throughout my study. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This work has been a success due to the interventions of many people who offered a lot of advice. Firstly, special tribute go to my supervisors; Dr. Lillian Otieno Omutoko and Prof. Charles Rambo who diligently spared their time to sit with me while offering their invaluable guidance through- out my study period. Without them, these ideas would not have sufficed in this manner. Much appreciation goes to my lecturers, who took us through the various courses in PhD Project Planning and Management. Their fruitful discussions on concepts in Project Monitoring and Evaluation and advanced research methods has made this thesis a success. These include: Prof. Christopher Gakuu, Prof. Harriet Kidombo, Dr. Stephen Luketero, Prof. Doroty Kyalo, Dr. Angeline Mulwa and Prof. Raphael Nyonje. My sincere gratitude also goes to the Staff of University of Nairobi for instance the Librarians and ICT officers who contributed a lot in providing relevant information that has seen this thesis succeed. This also goes to Kenya Forest Service officers and Community Forest user groups for their response to my request for data which has been instrumental in accomplishing this work. A lot of thanks goes to my parents, Maria and Kikwai Rotich who gracefully embraced the noble responsibility by educating, motivating and inspiring me diligently which has enabled me realize my full potential in life. Their faith and believe in the value of education has made my dream come true. On equal measure, I pay special tribute to my late brother Richard Kipkemoi Cheruiyot who personally mentored me in educational endeavours. You will remain in my heart and thoughts forever though you never lived to see the conclusion of this noble work. My sincere acknowledgement also goes to my classmates -Mr. Tonui John, Mr. Rono Joseph, Jennifer Wangari and Agatha Magondu, whom we shared ideas and advice when need arose. I cannot forget my research assistants like Mr. Ngeno Weldon and the driver, Mr. Stanley Kiprono Ngetich whom we traversed together the villages of Mau Forest collecting data which has seen this work become a success. Lastly, special thanks go to the staff of Motiret Secondary School who gave me moral support throughout my study for instance, Ms. Emmy Chepkirui who tirelessly worked hard in typing this document, Mr. Langat Richard, Mr. Langat Julius and Mrs. Beatrice Keter. This also goes to Mr. Kipkorir of Chebilat Boys who has been inspirational in this PhD journey. May God bless you all! iv TABLE OF CONTENT Page No DECLARATION........................................................................................................................... ii DEDICATION.............................................................................................................................. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ........................................................................................................... iv TABLE OF CONTENT ................................................................................................................ v LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................................... xi FIGURE ...................................................................................................................................... xiv ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ................................................................................... xv ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................................. xviii CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Background of the study .......................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Statement of the problem ......................................................................................................... 4 1.3. Purpose of the study ................................................................................................................. 5 1.4. Objectives of the study............................................................................................................. 5 1.5. Research questions ................................................................................................................... 6 1.6. Research Hypotheses ............................................................................................................... 6 1.7. Significance of the study. ......................................................................................................... 7 1.8. Limitation of the study ............................................................................................................. 8 1.9. Delimitation of the study ......................................................................................................... 8 1.10. Basic Assumptions of the Study ............................................................................................ 9 1.11. Definition of Significant Terms used in the study ................................................................. 9 1.12. Organization of the study. .................................................................................................... 11 CHAPTER TWO ........................................................................................................................ 12 LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................................................... 12 2.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 12 2.2. Conservation of Mau Forest Programme ............................................................................... 12 2.3. Participatory Forest Management Approach in the Conservation of Mau Forest ................. 16 2.4. Participatory Forest Planning and Conservation of Mau Forest Programme ........................ 22 v 2.5. Participatory Forest Monitoring and Conservation of Mau Forest Programme .................... 27 2.6. Participatory Implementation of Forest Management Practices and Conservation of Mau forest programme .................................................................................................................. 30 2.7. Participatory Evaluation and Conservation of Mau Forest Programme ................................ 33 2.8. Institutional Framework and Conservation of Mau Forest Programme ................................ 38 2.9. Theoretical Framework .......................................................................................................... 42 2.9.1. Forest Transition Theory ............................................................................................. 42 2.9.2. The practice-based approach ....................................................................................... 43 2.10. Conceptual Framework ........................................................................................................ 44 2.11. Summary of Literature Review ............................................................................................ 47 2.12. Knowledge gaps ................................................................................................................... 48 CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................... 58 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .............................................................................................. 58 3.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 58 3.2. Research Paradigm................................................................................................................. 58 3.2.1. Research Design............................................................................................................ 59 3.3. Target Population ..................................................................................................................
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