Impacts of HumanActivities andClimate Change onTree SpeciesRichness andDiversity in Kakamega Forest:Focus on IsechenoSite

A Call to Action

Kakamega Forest’s future depends on us. Protecting Isecheno is not just about trees — it is about people, culture, and the climate.

To succeed, we must:

• Empower youth with skills and opportunities beyond brewing and logging.

• Strengthen community conservation programs that give locals a voice and stake in forest management.

• Integrate climate adaptation strategies into every conservation effort.

• Support initiatives that replace destructive activities with sustainable livelihoods.

The forest is more than an ecosystem — it is a living heritage. By tackling the twin challenges of human exploitation and climate change, and by breaking the cycle of illicit brewing, we can ensure that Kakamega remains a green sanctuary for

generations to come.

Kakamega Forest is a jewel in Kenya’s crown — the country’s only tropical rainforest, home to rare birds, butterflies, medicinal plants, and towering indigenous trees. Yet,

despite its beauty and importance, this natural treasure is under constant

threat.

For decades, human activities such as logging, grazing, charcoal burning, and herbal plant harvesting have chipped away at the forest’s resilience. But today, a new and dangerous driver of destruction has emerged: the link between illicit alcohol brewing and deforestation.

A Community Under

Pressure.

In Isecheno, one of Kakamega’s most vulnerable forest stations, communities live on the forest’s edge. With high population density, poverty, and unemployment, many households rely on the forest for survival. Youth, in particular, are caught in a

troubling cycle. Trees are cut down not just for firewood, but to fuel illegal brewing of local spirits like chang’aa. Timber sales offer quick money, but much of it is spent back on alcohol — a cycle that feeds both addiction and forest destruction.

At the same time, climate change is compounding the crisis. Local communities report longer dry spells, erratic rainfall, and occasional floods. These changes weaken tree regeneration, kill seedlings, and increase dependence on forest products when harvests fail.

Despite the challenges, all is not lost. Recent surveys show that the Isecheno forest station still harbors over 55 tree species, with a slow but steady improvement in canopy cover and seedling regeneration compared to ten years ago. This progress is due in part to community forest associations (CFAs), youth volunteers, and organizations like Muliru Farmers Conservation Group (MFCG) and UNESCO World Heritage Volunteers, who are working tirelessly to restore the forest and empower local communities.

Alternative livelihoods such as beekeeping, poultry farming, eco-tourism, and herbal gardens are providing families with new sources of income. These initiatives help reduce pressure on the forest while promoting community pride in conservation.