The Impact Of Grazing Ban On The State Of Masaita Forest, Uasin G1shu County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

The study was to investigate the impact of grazing ban on the state of’ masaita forest \ ith an

inclusive social aspect. and come up with solution to overcome any realised problem. l’he main

objective was to find out the impact of grazing ban on the state of the Masaita forest in ~ asin

Gishu county. south rift Kenya. The methods used for data collection involved both qualitati C

and quantitative techniques. Questionnaires alongside fhce to lhce interviews were the tools used.

The findings indicated that the state of masaita forest has improved with time due to the

restriction of the use of forest resources from the forest adjacent communities. ‘l’here is XO°o ol

seedlings survival due to the well-timed planting and adequate spot weeding v~ ithout forgetting

the absence of grazers. The researcher noted that there was a decrease in the livelihood of these

forest adjacent communities due to the strict prohibition of forest resource use. Livestock kept h~

these communities was reducing with time: as well as procluctioti leading to poverty. ‘lie

researcher’s fears was that if the strict i’estriction of the use of masaita forest resource continues,

there will be a extreme reduction in people’s livelihood which may result into war against the

KFS thus people forcefully encroaching on the foi’est resource and degrading even more. In ordet

to overcome this researcher suggested some recommendations: The government must. come up with forest conservation laws that consider the well being of’ the forest adjacent communities. It must find alternatives to forest resources that the community can use as well as education. Ken a Government must invest in people by expanding access to funds. the neediest and providing for working poor. those unable to work and special vulnerable and targeting marginalized group