https://stm2.bookpi.org/SEIKFLRHISNC <p>The author is a forester with ten years of experience working in various forests. I found this particular forest unique and of interest following its location and dynamics. The Karura Forest Reserve is located on the outskirts of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. The forest plays a special role in Nairobi and Kenya as an urban recreational conservation forest because of its exceptional geographic location. The demand for forest resources is high due to the dense population that surrounds the forest. These resources include water, fuelwood, ecotourism and recreation. Interactions with and around this forest raised curiosity in terms of the changes that have taken place over the past ten years, during which I have been part and percel of Karura forest. It is for that reason that the author saw the need to conduct a research and establish if an urban community neighbouring the forest was in any way affected by the current management system of this particular forest. It is a first of its kind since it focuses on an informal settlement and how it benefits from the forest, unlike many common rural communities whose activities in the forest lean towards farming.</p> <p>This study aimed at examining the socio-economic benefits of the Huruma community, especially from the Karura forest, for the duration they have lived next to the forest ever since it became a functional eco-tourism urban forest.The entire research work was full of surprises and unexpected discoveries in as far as social forestry is concerned. I came across a completely different society, unlike the common notion of informal settlers, which is strongly characterised by their environment and day to day interactions in the forest.</p> <p>The author sought to answer questions like the evaluation of the economic value of Karura forest to the residents of Huruma, the investigation of effects of participatory forest management initiatives in enhancing the well-being of of the people of Huruma informal settlement. This book gives answers to the many questions asked by people concerning community participation in forest management and, in particular, the kind of karura forest, being a first-class urban forest in a city.</p> en-US Socio-Economic Impacts of Karura Forest on Livelihoods of the Residents of Huruma Informal Settlement, Nairobi County https://stm2.bookpi.org/SEIKFLRHISNC/article/view/716 <p>Assessing the socio-economic impacts of the Karura forest is an important aspect of measuring the benefits of the forest towards improving the livelihood of the inhabitants of Huruma informal settlement, which is among the several informal settlements bordering Karura forest. By "informal settlement," the study refers to the unplanned establishment of human dwellings. Huruma settlement has a population of 3000 people, most of whom depend on the resources from the forest for their livelihood. Therefore, this study assessed the socio-economic impacts of Karura forest on the livelihoods of residents living in the adjacent Huruma informal settlement in Nairobi City County. Specifically, the study sought to: evaluate the economic value of Karura forest to the residents of Huruma settlement; examine how the forest’s management system contributes to social behaviour change among community members of Huruma settlement; investigate the effect of participatory forest management (PFM) initiatives in enhancing Huruma community forest stewardship, and examine the role of forest ecosystem services in improving the well-being of residents of Huruma settlement. The study employed a survey research design, targeting multiple stakeholders living in or interacting with Karura forest, comprising residents of Huruma informal settlement, members of the Karura Community Forest Association (CFA), members of the Friends of Karura Forest (FKF) secretariat, and staff and management of Karura forest. The determination of the sample size was conducted using the formula proposed by Nassiuma (2001). Both random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the respondents. Data was gathered from the participants using the questionnaire, interview schedule, and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) guide. Data was analysed using both quantitative methods for questionnaire data and qualitative methods for data gathered using the interview schedule and FGD data. Quantitative methods involved both descriptive statistics, such as frequencies, percentages, and means, and inferential statistics, such as Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression analysis. Qualitative analysis was done using thematic content analysis. Quantitative analysis was supported by SPSS version 25.0 computer software, while qualitative analysis was supported by NVivo 14.0 software. The findings affirmed that enhancing the economic value of the forest significantly boosts community well-being. Over 65% of respondents strongly agreed that forest-related activities such as eco-tourism contribute to the local economy, illustrating the forest's pivotal role in both income generation and environmental sustainability. The findings further affirm that Karura forest management has significantly influenced social behaviour change among Huruma residents through crime reduction, increased discipline, and enhanced environmental awareness. A significant proportion of respondents (55.1%) strongly agreed that the management efforts have promoted environmental awareness among Huruma residents. The study also revealed that participatory forest management significantly enhances community forest stewardship and contributes meaningfully to the well-being of residents in Huruma informal settlement. Finally, the findings demonstrated that Karura forest plays a critical role in enhancing the well-being of Huruma residents through its ecological, social, and economic services. The study, therefore, recommends that the Karura forest management authorities and policymakers should prioritise inclusive labour practices, expand income-generating programs, and institutionalise meaningful community participation in decision-making. It is also recommended that Karura forest management adopt a participatory governance model that includes structured community engagement, equitable labour practices, and co-implementation of social programs. Further, inclusive governance should be reinforced through rotational leadership, youth representation, and strengthened oversight. Lastly, it is recommended that Karura forest management and relevant stakeholders implement inclusive policies that improve access to ecosystem services for Huruma residents.</p> Kivondo Vashit Mwikali Copyright (c) 2025 Author(s). The licensee is the publisher (BP International). 2025-12-10 2025-12-10 1 69 10.9734/bpi/mono/978-93-47485-97-8