Forests and people

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Home > Media > Blog > How communities in coastal Kenya ...

Part 4

In the final instalment, Valerie discusses the crucial importance of conservation and how it supports these communities. Previously she highlighted specific species, celebrated the heroes making a difference, and examined the vital role of local communities in successful conservation.

This time, she discovers how forests provide more than just tourism; they sustain traditional livelihoods and preserve indigenous knowledge.

By Valerie Odhiambo

Before my trip to Arabuko Sokoke, I was nearsighted. Nearsightedness of the eyes is bad, but nearsightedness of the heart is worse. The forest opened my eyes, not just to its trees, but to the people whose lives grow from it.

Throughout my visit, I met community leaders who shared how the forest has influenced their lives.

The Friends of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest works hand-in-hand with Community Forest Associations, advocating for effective and sustainable management. Through this collaboration, new job opportunities have emerged, particularly in ecotourism.

But the forest provides more than tourism. It also supports traditional livelihoods and indigenous knowledge.

One such example is Mama Salome, who depends on the forest to prepare herbal medicines. She told me that all her knowledge of treatment was passed down from her mother. I met her in the midst of a discussion with Friends of Arabuko, scraping bark from a tree.

Sifa, a community liaison officer of the Friends of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest chatting with Mama Salome

Curious, I asked her, “How do you know which bark, root, leaf, or branch is used for which condition?” Without hesitation, she began explaining which bark cures certain ailments, which roots heal specific diseases, and which stems can be used to prevent others.

Remarkably, despite never having received formal education, Mama Salome has sustained herself through the forest’s resources. Today, she also trains local women, passing on her indigenous knowledge and practices to future generations.

Traditional healers also use the bark in treatment of various ailments including stomach aches. Mama Salome learnt to read the trees and she’s passing down the knowledge in nature’s pharmacy to fellow mentees, especially women.

Bees, too, play a vital role here. They are essential pollinators in ecosystems worldwide, supporting both forests and food crops.

I spoke to Emmanuel Kalama from Mida, a town in Malindi, who has built his livelihood on beekeeping thanks to the forest. “You cannot have bees without a forest,” he told me. “Our work depends on the forest, and in turn, it gives us the potential to produce honey in abundance.”

Emmanuel began beekeeping in 2002 and has witnessed firsthand the benefits of conservation. “Bees are small,” he says, “but when we take care of them, they take care of us.” His dedication earned him a sponsorship with ICIPE in 2004, which opened doors for him to train others in beekeeping. In 2008, he specialized further by studying agriculture, focusing on apiculture. Since then, he has worked with organizations such as Anglican Development Services, Kwetu Training Centre for Sustainable Development, and Action Aid.

His journey even took him to Finland for two years to deepen his expertise.

Returning home, Emmanuel committed himself to serving his community. He worked as a consultant in honey harvesting and eventually founded his own company, Honeycomb. Today, with four employees, he can harvest up to one tonne of honey in a good year. What began as a family business is now expanding, not only to provide for his household but also to uplift the wider community.

“The forest is everything,” Emmanuel says. “The clean air we breathe comes from it. Forest is life. Without it, the air would be polluted, diseases would spread, and our future would be uncertain.”

Unfortunately, not everyone shares this perspective. Some see the forest only for its direct benefits—like timber or furniture—while ignoring the long-term, indirect benefits that sustain life itself. But as Emmanuel reminds us, it is only through the indirect, sustainable use of the forest that we can safeguard it for future generations.

In closing, I’ve been inspired by the stories of Kenyan conservationists making lasting change in their communities. From Atubwa Howard’s work protecting Kenya’s elusive Mount Kenya Bush Viper to Jacob Mueti’s efforts securing the country’s heritage through safeguarding the critically endangered pancake tortoise, these stories stand out. And how can I forget to applaud the community rangers safeguarding Arabuko Sokoke Forest and the locals championing sustainable forest stewardship?

One clear thread has emerged: conservation in Africa is built on collective action, rooted in local knowledge and passion. It is here that the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund plays a key role in connecting these dots of courage, science, and community engagement. The MBZ Fund is not just investing in African conservation heroes and their projects; it is ensuring that Africa’s rich biodiversity endures for future generations, led and owned by Africans themselves.

I can’t wait to see how this trajectory of progress continues and where the “Africa can’t wait” journey will take us next.

How communities in coastal Kenya thrive with the forest

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