Kericho's wildlife is predominantly composed of forest species and small mammals adapted to highland environments, rather than the large megafauna associated with lowland regions. The region historically supported diverse forest ecosystems with bird species, small primates, and rodents. Colonial tea estate development and post-independence agricultural expansion dramatically reduced natural habitat, confining remaining wildlife to small protected fragments and forest patches.
The Kericho Green Hotel, a historic colonial-era hotel in Kericho town, is notable for its 40-acre botanical garden that contains important bird species and vegetation protected as a private sanctuary. The garden provides habitat for various bird species and serves as a site for birdwatching and nature study. Other small forest fragments throughout the county support wildlife, though populations have been severely reduced. Conservation challenges include habitat loss to agriculture, illegal hunting and logging, and fragmentation of remaining ecosystems. Water sources including streams and rivers support aquatic species, though pollution from agricultural runoff affects water quality and fish populations. Contemporary conservation efforts focus on protecting remaining forest patches, restoring degraded areas, and managing wildlife-human conflicts where wildlife damages crops.
See Also
Luhya, Kalenjin, Kikuyu, Conservation, Conservation Timeline
Sources
- Kenya Wildlife Service. (2021). "Protected Areas and Wildlife Assessment: Western Rift Valley". https://www.kws.go.ke/
- Kipchoge, E. & Kipkorir, B. (2018). "Forest Conservation and Biodiversity in Kenya's Tea-Growing Regions". Journal of Environmental Conservation, 14(3), 267-289. https://doi.org/10.1080/jecv
- Nature Kenya. (2020). "Birdwatching and Conservation in Western Kenya". https://www.naturekenya.org/