Menengai Forest, located in Nakuru County, Kenya, is an ecologically significant area surrounding the Menengai Caldera—the second-largest caldera in Africa. It is one of the attractions near Lake Nakuru National Park.
The forest spans 7,000 hectares, of which 2,000 hectares are forested, while the rest features a rocky caldera floor with scattered shrubs. The forest provides crucial ecological services, including air purification, temperature regulation, and supporting biodiversity. It is also home to numerous plant species and serves as an important resource for local communities who depend on it for grazing, firewood, construction materials, and traditional medicine.
Recent Conservation Efforts
On April 11, 2024, Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Chief Conservator of Forests, Alex Lemarkoko, announced the launch of a 55-kilometer electric fence around Menengai Forest. This project, which will cost over Sh100 million, aims to protect the forest from encroachment, poaching, and environmental degradation. The fence is expected to secure the forest boundaries, promote natural regeneration, and enhance biodiversity, especially by preventing illegal activities like charcoal burning, illegal grazing, and tree cutting.
Menengai Forest, classified as an “urban forest,” supports the livelihoods of surrounding communities living in Bahati, Nakuru Town East, Nakuru Town West, Rongai, and Subukia. These communities benefit from the forest’s environmental services, such as clean air and cooler temperatures, vital in a region heavily impacted by urbanization.
Land Grabbing Claims
The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) clarified this month on October 12, 2024 that recent land grabbing claims near Menengai Forest involve private land outside the forest’s boundary. An electric fence project, funded by the African Development Bank at Ksh 110 million, will secure the 55-kilometer forest boundary by December 2024.
CLARIFICATION ON ALLEGED GRABBING OF MENENGAI FOREST pic.twitter.com/f6GL7jG1AH
— Kenya Forest Service (@KeForestService) October 12, 2024
Vegetation and Plant Diversity in Menengai Caldera
A comprehensive study aimed at documenting the vegetation types in the Menengai Caldera identified 186 plant species across eight distinct plant communities. These include bushlands, grasslands, montane forests, and riverine vegetation, with cover density ranging from 15% to 65%. The study employed line transects, 20x20m sampling plots, and quantitative methods such as Shannon’s Diversity Index to assess species distribution, diversity, and dominance.
The major vegetation communities identified were:
- Bushlands: Comprising 23% of the caldera, dominated by species like Tarconanthus camphorates (leleshwa) and Acacia tortilis.
- Grasslands: Accounting for 21% of the caldera, including species such as Melinis repens and Protea gaguedi.
- Montane Forests and Riverine Vegetation: Representing smaller proportions of the total vegetation, with notable species like Rubus steudueri and Rubus apetalus.
No endemic or rare species were found, but some species typically associated with montane forests, such as Rubus species, were recorded, underscoring the ecological significance of the caldera.
Menengai Caldera as a Geothermal and Recreational Hub
The Menengai Caldera holds immense geothermal potential. It hosts the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) and several power-producing companies that contribute to Kenya’s national grid. Additionally, the caldera is a major tourist attraction, drawing students and tourists keen to explore the mysteries of the Great Rift Valley’s volcanic activity.
The forest also provides a recreational escape for Nakuru’s urban population, often described as “living in a concrete jungle.” Visitors enjoy hiking, birdwatching, and learning about the area’s geological history.
Community and Environmental Challenges
The management of Menengai Forest faces challenges due to high poverty levels in surrounding communities, leading to unsustainable forest exploitation. Local residents frequently extract firewood, charcoal, and building materials, while illegal grazing degrades the forest’s vegetation. Encroachment and poaching further threaten the forest’s sustainability.
Lemarkoko emphasized that fencing will offer a long-term solution by creating a secure boundary that allows for natural forest regeneration. This regeneration is facilitated by seed dispersal from insects, birds, and mammals, which boosts biodiversity.
Kenya Forest Service and Community Collaboration
KFS, supported by the Africa Development Bank (AFD), has been involved in various projects aimed at enhancing forest conservation. Local communities benefit from nature-based enterprises such as fish farming, beekeeping, and fruit tree farming, which provide alternative incomes while promoting conservation. Additionally, the fence is expected to reduce incidents of crime and cattle rustling, which have plagued the region due to the forest’s previously unsecured boundaries.
The fencing project mirrors the success of the Karura Forest fence in Nairobi, which greatly reduced crime and illegal activities after its implementation. Menengai’s electric fence is expected to deliver similar results, safeguarding this crucial ecosystem for future generations.
Conclusion
Menengai Forest is a vital natural resource, supporting biodiversity, local livelihoods, and Kenya’s geothermal energy production. While it faces significant threats from human activity, initiatives like the electric fence project and community-driven conservation efforts hold promise for the future. Protecting Menengai Forest not only conserves its ecological value but also ensures the sustainability of its resources for the surrounding communities.