Forest Stations in Kakamega
Kakamega Forest Ecosystem: A Short History
First mentioned in the 1913 map as Muliru Itaho, Itaho Forest, this treasured 240 km2 Kakamega Forest was originally managed by the local people and the village elders, who were responsible to the Local Native Council. Its first physical forest border, with the Government recognizing the need to protect it, was established between 1908-10. In 1913, and later in 1929 and 1930, it was placed under colonial protection and run by the Native Council. In 1931, the Forest Department took over its management and thereafter, in 1933, it was gazetted as the Kakamega Forest, classified as a Trust Forest owned by the locals and managed by the Government.
Between 1936 and 1938 the border areas of Kakamega Forest were planted with Eucalyptus trees, prior to its conversion into a Central Government Forest in 1964. In 1967, the Nature Reserves of Isecheno, Yala and Malava were created. Finally, in 1986, two chunks in the north area were hived-off, Kisere Forest (471 ha) and the northwest quarter of Kakamega Forest called Buyangu (3,984 ha), to create the 4,455 ha Kakamega National Reserve now tightly run by Kenya Wildlife Service.
To further conserve the integrity and essence of Kakamega Forest Ecosystem, in 1984, a presidential order banned the conversion of indigenous forest to farmland. In 1988 a ban was issued against the felling of indigenous forest trees, grazing and cultivation in the forest; although the natives are still allowed to fetch dead wood as fire wood outside of the reserves. Although we now know Kakamega Forest is a remnant of the greater Guinea-Congo equatorial forest mosaic, thought to have been depleted greatly just 10,000 years ago in an arid-epoch that abated many tropical forests in Africa, it has retained species common to all these relic forest.
What Kakamega Forest lacks in large game seen in many of Kenya’s reserves is made up for by an untold range of birds, butterflies, monkeys and, of course, its varied flora. Elephants were extirpated around 1912, with the buffalo disappearing soon after. Lions survived till the late 1950s on the east areas of the forest where leopards are still suspected to live, with the last spotted in 1980’s near Buyangu.
Kenya’s vast forest reserves are of immeasurable importance in biodiversity conservation, water regulation, and carbon storage. Collectively, these forests, natural and exotic, cover 2008 km2 or about 3.4% of Kenya’s land surface area, and 15% of the most fertile land. They also provide important recreational and ecotourism opportunities for visitors to enjoy Kenya’s natural beauty and wildlife.
Index of National Forests & Forests Reserves in Kenya
Baringo County - Tugen Hills Forest, Lembus Forest, Koibatek Forest, Bomet County - Chepalungu Forest, Trans Mara Forest, South Western Mau Forest Reserve, Bungoma County - Chepkitale Forest, Busia County - Budalang'i Forest, Elgeyo Marakwet County - Bugar Forest, Kessup Forest, Embobut Forest, Cherangani Hills Forest Reserve, Embu County - Njukiri Forest, Murinduko Hill Forest, Kirimiri Forest, Kiangombe Forest, Irangi Forest, Homa Bay County - Gwassi Hills Forest, The Kodera Forest, Kakamega County - Kakamega Forest Reserve, Kisere Forest, Malava Forest, Kericho County - Mau Forest Complex, Masaita Forest, Kiambu County - Kinale Forest, Kereita Forest, Kilifi County - Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve, Mwangea Hill Forest, Dakatcha Woodland, Kirinyaga County - Murinduko Forest, Njukiini Forest, Kisii County - The Nyangweta Forest, Kitui County - Mumoni Hill Forest Reserve, Muvaroa Hill Forest Reserve, Laikipia County - Marmanet Forest Reserve, Mukogodo Forest, Lamu County - Witu Forest, The Dodori Forest, Boni-Lungi Forest, Machakos County - Iveti Forest Reserve, Makueni County - Kibwezi Forest Station, Marsabit County - Marsabit National Reserve, The Turbi Forest, Meru County - Giitune Sacred Forest, Mucheene Forest, Mpogoro Forest, Ngaya Forest, Nyambane Hill Forest, Ngare Ndare Forest, Muranga County - Aberdare Forest Station, Nairobi County - Ngong Forest, The Karura Forest, Nandi County - South Nandi Forest, North Nandi Forest, North Tinderet Reserve, Nyandarua County - Nyandarua Forest, Dundori Forest, Samburu County - Kirisia Forest, Taita Taveta County - Ngangao Forest, Vuria Hill, Fururu Forest, Tharaka Nithi Forest - Chuka Forest Station, Vihiga County - Nganyi Forest, Kaimosi Forest, The Kibiri Forest, West Pokot County - Kamatira Forest
Kakamega County remains a cornerstone of Kenya’s cultural and ecological diversity, with its vibrant traditions, economic activities, and natural beauty making it a critical part of the nation’s heritage. Smack in the middle of Western Kenya, enjoying a temperate climate, Kakemega is both populous and vibrant.
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Explore Destinations Nearby Kakamega Forest Ecosystem
A Guide to Kakamega County
A Summa Digest of Kakamega
About Kakamega Way Back When
30 Destinations in Kakamega County, arranged as one would visit these - north, south, east then west - with aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Mwikhupo Falls, Sidikho Falls, Kakamega Forest Ecosystem, Kisere Forest, Malava Forest, Mawe Tatu Hills, Kakamega National Reserve, Isukuti Guest House, Udo Bandas, Isiukhu Falls, Lirhanda Cave, Busambuli Lodge, Isecheno Nature Reserve, Kambiri Hill, Mukai Stone Cave, Savona Isle Resort, Rondo Retreat Centre, Yala Nature Reserve, Nandi Escarpment, Lamanis Haven, The Golf Hotel, Kakamega Sports Club, MMUST Botanical Garden, Muliro Gardens, Rosterman Gold Mines, Shilahi Garden, Ikhongo Murwi, Ilesi Pottery Centre, Malinya Stadium, Nabongo Cultural Centre, Hamptons City
Know More About Kakamega County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
The altitudes of Kakamega varies between 1,240 ms to 2,000 ms. The southern part of the county is rather hilly, and strewn with unique and rugged granite tors, rising in places to nearly 1,950 ms.
Temperatures range from 18oC and 29oC. January to March are the hottest while June to August are cold spells. The climate is equable over the county, with adequate and well distributed rainfall.
