Effects of stakeholder collaboration on environmental conservation in Kanduyi constituency, Bungoma County, Kenya

Environmental conservation is a crucial component of sustainable development, requiring the combined efforts of individuals, communities, government bodies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Globally, countries like Germany and China have demonstrated the importance of public participation in environmental conservation, achieving significant progress through inclusive policies and collaborative efforts. However, little is known about how such collaboration influences conservation efforts in Kanduyi, highlighting the need for this research. This research therefore focused on the role of stakeholders in environmental conservation in Kanduyi Constituency, Bungoma County, Kenya. Respondents included 385 household heads and two National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) county officers. To increase the generalizability of the findings, a stratified sampling approach was used to include participants from different demographic backgrounds. The findings prove that engagement of stakeholders helps increase the backing of conservation policies, and encourages innovation and coordination of investments in sustainable initiatives. Regression analysis reveals a low, but statistically significant positive correlation between stakeholder collaboration and conservation performance. Therefore, future research should focus on identifying mediating factors that affect practical implementation since perceived high benefits do not guarantee practical implementation.