Integrating Indigenous Abaluhya Worldview with Western Scientific Approaches in Communicating Climate Change Related to Conservation of Kakamega Forest

Communicating climate change remains an integral aspect of the quest to manage the impacts of climate change. Communicating climate change largely takes the western scientific approach without much consideration of African traditional knowledge. Communicating climate change has not elicited the desired response from the community that lives adjacent to Kakamega Forest. Abaluhyia people have had ways of conserving their forests, which ensured their posterity. The study aimed to assess the potential for integrating the indigenous Abaluhya worldview with western scientific approaches to communicate climate change in relation to the conservation of Kakamega Forest. The study was qualitative and used a descriptive design. The study drew data from interviews, Focus Group Discussions and review of secondary sources. The study revealed that the attitude and response of the members of the community that lives adjacent to Kakamega Forest show that they are not heeding the communication on climate change related to the conservation of Kakamega Forest, as demonstrated by their continued destruction of the forest. The results of the study identified some challenges that hamper a positive response to communicating climate change. The study revealed that the indigenous Abaluhyia worldview’s communication media, which are consistent with their values, beliefs, and practices, have the potential to enhance communication about climate change related to the conservation of Kakamega Forest. Therefore, this study recommends the integration of indigenous Abaluhyia worldviews with western scientific approaches in communicating climate change data related to the conservation of Kakamega Forest.