Fencing Hope: Arabuko-Sokoke Forest’s Quest for Balance
Elephant hovering around Arabuko Sokoke forest. Photo/ Courtesy)
By Francis Kagema
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Arabuko-Sokoke Forest is renowned for its extraordinary mix of unique plants and wildlife.
Deep within this sanctuary in Kilifi County, the rare golden-rumped sengi (elephant shrew) scurries through thick undergrowth while the elusive Sokoke Scops Owl hoots from tree canopies.
As East Africa’s largest remaining coastal forest, this natural treasure serves as both a biodiversity sanctuary and a significant carbon sink that influences regional weather patterns.
Fame attracted both admirers and exploiters
For years, illegal loggers worked along the forest’s edge, their axes silencing bird songs and fragmenting habitats. Poachers, on the other hand, set snares threatening rare wildlife as desperate communities turned to the forest for survival.
Most dramatically, elephants began venturing beyond forest boundaries in search of food and water, trampling crops and sparking conflicts with farmers who watched their livelihoods disappear under massive feet in the night.
By the late 1990s, this ecological sanctuary was hanging by a thread. Something had to be done – and it was, through an unprecedented partnership between conservationists and the very communities whose crops were being destroyed.
A Fence with a History
The story of protection began over two decades ago when conservationists and communities joined forces to build a 116-kilometre electric fence separating forest from farmland.
Since 2002, this barrier has stood as a symbol of cooperation, funded by international donors and supported by the government of Kenya, local NGOs, and the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Adjacent Dwellers Association.
Community’s commitment to coexist with nature
Residents became involved in forest patrols, tree planting, and educating their children about conservation. For many years, it reduced elephant raids and restored peace between forest and farms.
But time tested even the best intentions. Weather, wear, and persistent wildlife gradually weakened the fence.
What had once been a formidable barrier slowly became ineffective, frustrating both conservationists and communities.
Building Something Better
A new electric fence is currently under construction. This upgraded barrier features 14 carefully spaced strands powered by solar energy, designed to deter wild animals-both large and small, while preventing unauthorised human entry, a significant improvement over the original four or five strands.
The project has created immediate employment opportunities and promises long-term maintenance jobs for local communities.
For surrounding communities, the new fence represents hope for peaceful coexistence with wildlife. Farmers envision nights without guarding crops against elephants.
Tourism operators anticipate increased visitor confidence, potentially boosting local livelihoods through ecotourism revenue.
Beneath the excitement runs genuine concern, however. The forest has always been more than a conservation area. It’s been a source of livelihood and cultural connection.
Butterfly farmers in the renowned Kipepeo Project earn their living by raising butterfly larvae for international export. Traditional healers gather medicinal plants, and families collect fuelwood for cooking.
Without thoughtfully placed access points, the new fence could inadvertently cut off these sustainable forest users from their income sources.
Community members worry about being transformed from conservation partners into obstacles to be managed.
A Path Forward
Success at Arabuko-Sokoke Forest requires more than a strong fence. It demands strong partnerships. The fencing project must ensure that community voices guide decisions, from gate placement to access protocols.
Residents need clear pathways to continue traditional forest uses while serving as conservation champions.
Most importantly, the project must address the underlying economic pressures driving forest degradation.
If families cannot earn a living through legitimate forest activities, they may resort to illegal logging and poaching regardless of the fence’s strength.
As the new barrier takes shape, it represents a test of whether conservation can serve both nature and community.
The golden-rumped sengi and other wildlife will benefit from better protection, but true success will be measured by whether those living alongside the forest also prosper.
If Arabuko-Sokoke forest succeeds in balancing conservation with community participation, it could serve as a model for forest conservation across East Africa, proving that the strongest fences are built not just with wire and posts, but with trust, respect, and shared responsibility.
Kagema is the Nature Kenya Conservation Programmes Coordinator for the Coast Region.
