Moderating Influence of Institutional Framework on the Relationship between Participatory Forest Management and Mau Forest Conservation Programme in Kenya

Forest performs a wide range of critical environmental and climatic functions and serves as homes to the majority of the world’s plant and animal species. However, forests and forest resources are currently declining substantially, thus threatening the current and future local communities’ ability to meet their basic needs from the forest. Many countries, particularly in Asia and Africa have since undertaken review of policies and legislation on forestry to incorporate aspects of Participatory Forest Management to conserve and manage resources in a sustainable way. The objective of the study was to determine the moderating influence of institutional framework on the relationship between institutional framework and Mau forest conservation programme. This study was grounded on Forest Transition Theory and guided by descriptive survey design and correlational research design. A sample size of 364 respondents was drawn from a target population of 4100 people using Yamane (1967) Formula. Quantitative data was collected through a self-administered structured questionnaire while qualitative data was collected through an interview guide. From the findings, with Model1:p-value=0.007 and Model 2:Z=-0.189,p-value=0.005,the null hypothesis was rejected and concluded that there is a significant relationship between the moderating influence of institutional framework on the relationship between Participatory Forest Management and Mau Forest conservation programme. This study recommends that creation of local institutions are essential for conservation of forests but these institutions need resources and capacity development for sustainability of forest conservation programs.