This archive report was first published on 5 December 2019.
Kenya: Campaign Launched to Save Mukombero From Extinction ¶
Published on December 5, 2019
The Kakamega Forest in Western Kenya is home to the mukombero plant, a climber popularly known as Mondia whitei. The plant's roots are believed to have medicinal properties, particularly in enhancing sexual drive when chewed.
However, the demand for the plant's roots has led to uncontrolled harvesting, threatening its existence. Communities in Kakamega East Sub-County have been sneaking into the forest to harvest the plant, before selling it in busy market centers.
"The mukombero from Kakamega Forest is very sweet, with a pleasant flavour when chewed. This has attracted people from as far as Mombasa, Nairobi and central Kenya to come and buy the herbal roots," said Mr Silvester Mambili, a representative of the Community Forest Associations in Western Conservancy.
Efforts to save the mukombero plant from extinction are being coordinated by the Sustainable Land Management/Sustainable Forest Management project. The project aims to encourage communities living next to the forest to plant the herb in their gardens instead of encroaching on the forest and damaging the fragile ecosystem.
The Ihondolo area of the Kakamega-Nandi forest ecosystem, which is about 100 hectares, has been severely degraded due to encroachment by local communities. A nursery for indigenous trees managed by the Kakamega community-based organisation has planted 8,000 tree seedlings in a bid to rehabilitate the forest.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is working closely with the group to conserve the forest. They have distributed mukombero seedlings and other indigenous species and plants which have medicinal value for planting.
Mr Mambili said unchecked encroachment on the forest is a major threat to its ecosystem and unique biodiversity.
The project also targets to promote conservation of the fragile biodiversity in the surviving vestige of the rainforest. The county governments of Kakamega and Vihiga have pledged Sh130 million to support the electric fence project.
Western region Kenya Forest Service Head of Conservancy Jim Okuto said the actual fencing of the forest is expected to start in January 2020. The environmental audit by KWS involved sensitisation of the community on the benefits of the project.
