http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1893 2026-04-13T11:52:36Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2515 ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF ANNUAL WORKPLAN AND BUDGET PROCESSES ON PERFORMANCE OF COUNTY FOREST CONSERVANCIES IN KENYA OGILO, MAURICE CHARLES OUMA Annual Workplan and Budget (AWP&B) are documents prepared annually by public organizations as required by the government policy for funds allocation by the treasury. It presents financial needs of an organization and the activities to be implemented in a given financial year. However, funds allocated to public organizations usually do not normally meet the threshold of the presented AWP&B for many organizations. There is normally a deficit in the funds allocated. This financial deficit therefore necessitates a strong enabling AWP&B to enhance negotiation of more funds from the exchequer. One glaring issue is that the allocating committees of treasury may not prioritize the activities of the organization highly and thus may allocate very little funds. Meanwhile, as all public organizations vie for the same ‘basket of funds’, there is need for strong presentation to ensure enough funds are given to an organization. This study analyzed the impact of AWP&B processes on performance of County Forest Conservancies (CFCs) in Kenya. Specifically, the study determined conformity of the amalgamated AWP&B of Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to requirement by the treasury as stipulated in Medium Term Budget (MTB) process for funds allocation from the exchequer, evaluated the performance of CFCs against their Performance Contract (PC) targets as indicated in their AWP&B, derived correlation between funds allocation and performance of CFCs and formulated AWP&B structure that will be effective and efficient to negotiate for more funds from the exchequer and enable attainment of PC targets. 17 Counties were sampled out of a population of 47 and inferential statistics employed in the analysis. Findings on objective one showed some non-conformities resulting to ineffective negotiations for adequate fund allocation to KFS by the Treasury. On performance evaluation, Chi-square (χ2) test statistics results showed that the calculated value (79.81) was greater than the critical value (5.99) at 95% (α = 0.05) implying significant differences between CFCs performance and expectations. Results on objective three using Linear Programming (LP) model (L&IP Software on optimization) provided optimal solution on performance for positive output. In conclusion, the study noted that improved AWP&B will enhance effective and efficient base for negotiation for more funds from the exchequer and increase the level of satisfaction of performance of activities done by the CFCs. In recommendation, the management to put in place effective and efficient AWP&B (by continuously looking at outputs vs inputs) that will fully conform to requirement by the treasury guidelines for funds allocation and actively engage exchequer for increased funding level base for delivery of AWP&B. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2290 INFLUENCE OF TREE - CROP DISTANCE ON GROWTH OF Pinus patula AND Cupressus lusitanica YOUNG PLANTATIONS IN A PELIS SYSTEM INGURA, ISAAC OMODING The success of plantation tree species’ growth from planting to canopy closure depends on optimal tree-crop distance. Several studies have examined tree-crop distance in explaining the growth of plantation tree species. However, there are few published studies on the influence of tree-crop distance on establishment and growth of plantation tree species in a PELIS system. Therefore, this study was done to determine the influence of tree-crop seedling distance, tree species (Pinus patula and Cupressus lusitanica) age at planting, single (potatoes) and mixed cropping (cabbages and potatoes) and soil characteristics (bulk density and nutrients) on growth of Pinus patula and C. lusitanica seedlings in a PELIS system. The study was done to determined: i) the effect of tree-crop distance on growth of P. patula and C. lusitanica; ii) the influence of seedlings species age in the tree nursery and tree-crop distance on growth of P. patula and C. lusitanica species; iii) the effect of single (potatoes) and mixed (potatoes and cabbages) cropping and tree-crop distance on growth of P. patula and C. lusitanica tree species iv) the effect of soil characteristics (Bulk density, pH, Carbon, Nitrogen and phosphorus) and tree-crop distance on growth of P. patula and C. lusitanica tree seedlings species. Two sites (Timboroa and Kipkurere forests) practicing PELIS were used for the study. The normal seedling spacing for C. lusitanica is 250cm × 250cm and for P. patula is 275cm × 275cm. The study was about tree-crop interactions and hypothetical distances crops can be from the trees. Four treatment plots of tree distance (variable) were used in three replicates. The treatments were 20 cm, 50 cm, 100 cm and 150 cm. The control for the experiment was at tree-crop distance of 20 cm. Samples of 9 planted tree seedlings (3 × 3) were sampled for growth measurements. Root collar diameter (RCD) and height growth were measured monthly for P. patula and C. lusitanica from time of planting for 6 months. In each sample, soil samples were collected to determine; - Bulk density, soil pH, Carbon, Nitrogen and phosphorus. Mean values of RCD and height in all treatments were tested with ANOVA and significant different means were discriminated using Turkey’s HSD test. The relationship between growth trends in height and RCD against time were displayed using response surface methodology. Although the data optimize tree-crop distance was found to be 100cm, farmers are unlikely to accept such a wide distance. Therefore, to improve the current situation, this study recommends a practical distance of either 25 or 50cm in height and RCD for P. patula and C. lusitanica in Timboroa and Kipkurere forests. Growth in height and RCD were lowest at tree-crop distance 150cm. Planting of P. patula and C. lusitanica at age 12 months resulted to better growth at tree-crop distance of 100 cm followed by 50 cm than the control (20 cm) in Timboroa and Kipkurere forests. The final height and RCD of P. patula and C. lusitanica was higher in treatment with mixed cropping compared to single cropping, with significant interactions between the tree-crop distance and single and mixed crops affecting growth. The management implications of this study are that crop-tree distances in a PELIS system should be 100 cm and not closer. In addition, older seedlings may perform better than very young ones. Site nutrients are not impacted by crop-tree distance but there is confounding with single and mixed cropping and fertilizers normally added by farmers in a PELIS system. More studies are needed on nutrients and single and mixed cropping interactions, especially if robust crops casting a lot of shade like maize are used. 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2234 ALLELOPATHIC EFFECTS OF Vachellia tortilis, Vachellia nubica, AND Hyphaene compressa ON EARLY GROWTH OF Prosopis juliflora LOLIMO FESTUS NAPOKOL Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC is an invasive species negatively impacting plant ecology and livelihoods in introduced areas. Native tree species may produce allelochemicals that inhibits growth of invasive species, resulting in a natural management technique. This study was conducted to evaluate allelopathic effects of selected native tree species (Vachellia tortilis, Vachellia nubica, and Hyphaene compressa) on early growth of P. juliflora. The goal was to identify which of these native tree species could be used to suppress growth of P. juliflora as part of a biological control and management strategy. Allelochemicals and effects of crude leaf and root extracts of studied native tree species on seed germination and seedling growth of P. juliflora were determined. Leaves and roots were randomly collected from the native tree species and used to prepare crude leaf and root extracts of 0%, 1%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10% concentrations. Effects of leaf and root extracts on germination and seedlings growth of P. juliflora were determined in a germination chamber and greenhouse respectively. Both experiments were laid out in a completely randomized design. Tests for presence of allelochemicals were done using standard laboratory procedures. Effects of leaf and root extracts of the native tree species on germination and growth of P. juliflora were summarized into means and tested using three-way ANOVA at 5% significance level and means separated by Tukey test. The study revealed that crude leaf and root extracts of the native tree species had inhibitory effects (p=0.0001) on the germination and growth of P. juliflora as indicated by the reduction in the studied variables. Prosopis juliflora seed coats treated with V. tortilis and V. nubica leaf extracts turned darkish before germination while germinated seeds in 10% leaf extracts of V. nubica aborted. Depending on crude extract concentrations, percent inhibition on germination characteristics were; percent germination (21-74%), wet weight (6-49%), plumule length (10-47%), and radicle length (7-86%) of germinating P. juliflora. Prosopis juliflora seedlings treated with crude leaf extracts of 2.5%, 5%, and 10% of V. nubica, 5%, and 10% of V. tortilis and 10% of H. compressa died during the experiment. Percent inhibition of P. juliflora seedlings growth were; plant height (9-56%), root collar diameter (5-31%), number of leaves (8-42%), root length (29-76%), and dry shoot (6-30%) and root (8-28%) weight. Increase in crude extract concentrations led to an increase in the inhibitory effects. All crude leaf extracts had higher inhibitory effects as compared to all root extracts regardless of extract concentration. Among the leaf extracts, V. nubica had the highest inhibition on germination and seedlings growth of P. juliflora. Tannins, saponins, steroids, glycosides, terpenoids and phenol compounds were all present in crude leaf and root extracts of the studied native trees. Therefore, it was concluded that V. tortilis, V. nubica, and H. compressa exhibited varying allelopathic effects on the germination and seedlings growth of P. juliflora and thus can be promoted to suppress the invasiveness of P. juliflora 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1780 SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS INFLUENCING THE ADOPTION OF IMPROVED COOK STOVES IN KISUMU, KAKAMEGA AND UASIN-GISHU COUNTIES IN KENYA APONDO, STEPHEN OCHIENG’ Despite the economic advantages of improved cook stoves' (ICS) technologies, progress toward widespread adoption and use has been extremely slow, leading to the destruction of forest resources, high household expenditure on domestic fuel, increased indoor pollution, increased disease burden, and time used to source for fuel. The study looked into the effects of socioeconomic characteristics such income level, home size, awareness of ICS, level of education, and amount of fuel wood utilized and ICS characteristics on the adoption of ICS in Kakamega, Kisumu, and Uasin-Gishu counties in Kenya. Six estates from Kakamega (Shikambi, Amalemba, and Milimani), Kisumu (Manyata, Tom Mboya, and Milimani), and Uasin-Gishu (Langas, Kapsoya, and Elgon View) were chosen to represent the research population's Low, Middle, and High-Income Estates using a multistage sample technique. Twenty-one academic institutions, fifty households from each income level, twelve large hotels (serving more than 101 people per day), twenty-one medium hotels (serving 51 to 100 people per day), and thirty-six small hotels (serving approximately 50 people per day) were all sampled. Semi-structured questionnaires and focus group talks were used to gather the data. The information was gathered using focus groups and semi-structured questionnaires. With the aid of SPSS version 23, the acquired data were analyzed using both descriptive and chi-square (χ2) statistics. The findings showed that household size, education level, knowledge of ICS, and characteristics of charcoal-saving cook stoves substantially influenced families' adoption of ICS (χ2=115.7548, df=49, p<0.05). In contrast, only the number of clients served each day had a significant impact on the amount of ICS adoption in institutions (χ2=10.0535, df=49, p<0.05). Education level and awareness level of the head cooks, stove characteristics and quantity of fuel wood used per day did not have significant influence on ICS adoption (χ2=0.6622, df=49, p<0.05; χ2=0.5057, df=49, p<0.05; χ2=2.2622, df=49, p<0.05; χ2=3.4796, df=49, p<0.05 respectively). In hotels, hotel sizes (χ2=2.3333, df=68, p<0.05), head cooks education level (χ2=0.4333, df=68, p<0.05), head cook ICS awareness (χ2=0.1000, df=68, p<0.05), quantity of fuel wood used per day (χ2=0.6667, df=68, p<0.05), and stove characteristics (χ2=4.9667, df=68, p<0.05), did not influence ICS adoption significantly. The study concluded that household size, increase in stove awareness; education level, income level, and saving on fuel wood positively influenced adoption in households. In institutions and hotels high awareness level, education level, and stove characteristics positively influenced ICS adoption. It is recommended that more ICS awareness be created and stove manufacturers come up with new designs for improved durability and wood fuel saving. 2022-11-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1566 EFFECTS OF HYDROGELS ON SOIL MOISTURE, NUTRIENTS AND GROWTH OF SOME AGROFORESTRY TREES IN WEST POKOT COUNTY, KENYA CHERUIYOT, GILBERT Studies on the effects of hydrogels on soil amendments, moisture conservation, nutrients release, availability and growth of Sesbania sesban, Cajanus cajan and Leucaena pallida in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) was carried out. Hydrogels are hydrophilic in nature and highly absorbent to water molecules. This property helps to establish seedlings in ASALs. The effects of hydrogels on the growth of seedlings, nutrients and amount of moisture released have not yet studied and documented. The study was carried out in Kongelai in West Pokot County. Seedlings of S. sesban, C. cajan and L. pallida were established both in the nursery and in the field with and without hydrogels. Field experiment was carried out in split plot design under hedgerow intercropping system with three replications and three concentration hydrogels levels (7g, 11g and 15g) and control seedlings established in soils without hydrogels. In the nursery, root collar diameter and heights for each seedlings were measured every two weeks upto eight weeks. Seedlings established without hydrogels in the nursery were transplanted into field soils with none, 7g, 11g and 15g level of hydrogels. Root collar diameter and height were again measured every month for three months. In addition, soil was collected randomly once every month from the base of each seedling and analyzed for soil moisture and nutrient content using standard laboratory procedures. All data were subjected to analysis of variance using Analysis Toolpak. Results show that there was a significant difference in the height and RCD among the three species and at different level of hydrogels F calculated (0.05) = 10.3431 > F tabular (critical) 3.4903. This suggests that use of hydrogels in the nursery soils retards plant growth but improves growth in the field. Hydrogels increased soil moisture volume from 5.7, 8.3 and 5.3% to 11.7, 13 and 10% in H15g level of hydrogels in S. sesban, C. cajan and L. pallida respectively after transplanting. Analysis of variance of nutrients release into the soil shows that F calculated (0.05) = 5.4270 > F tabular (critical) 2.9011 implying that hydrogels has an effect on the nutrients. Nutrient increased from 0.95, 0.07 and 0.12% in the pre-test analysis to 4.48, 3.81 and 0.42% after analysis in potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus respectively in the soil after transplanting. It was concluded that hydrogels does not contribute to growth of seedlings in the nursery but it does so after transplanting. Hydrogels increase soil moisture and nutrients in the soil therefore recommended for use in semi arid lands to boost the survival and growth of seedlings. Hydrogels level at 15g is highly recommended to be used in the transplanted seedlings in ASALs 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1554 INFLUENCE OF GENDER ON ACCESS, USE AND MANAGEMENT OF FOREST RESOURCES IN KAPCHEMUTWA FOREST, ELGEYO MARAKWET COUNTY, KENYA SEREM, MAGRINE JEMOSOP The main purpose of this study was to examine the Influence of gender on access, use and management of Forest Resources in Kapchemutwa forest, Elgeyo Marakwet County. The specific objectives were to examine factors that defines gender roles in relation to forest resource management, to identify the practical and strategic needs of different gender groups in relation to access, use and management of forest resources, to analyze the ways in which gender roles affect access to access, use of forest resources at community level for livelihood improvement and to determine how the different gender groups could be integrated into sustainable management of forest resources, based on their roles, relations and needs. This study adopted a descriptive survey design. The sampling frame for this study comprised of key informants, drawn from 3288 households. Both primary and secondary data was obtained for the study. Interviews, questionnaire, focus group discussions, observations and photography comprised the main sources of primary data. Secondary data was obtained from review of published and unpublished materials. Quantitative data was analyzed by use of descriptive statistics such as measures of central tendencies such as frequencies, means and percentages while qualitative data were summarized and interpreted in line with the research objectives and questions. Results of data analysis were presented in form of figures and tables. The study findings showed that males and youth depended on the forest for poles, timber and charcoal while women mostly obtained firewood, medicine and food from the forest. Further, the major factors that influenced the access, use and management of forest resources in Kapchemutwa forest were resource use and monetary values attached to the resources. However, knowledge on forest resources, climatic conditions and cultural values also influenced the access, use and management of forest resources. The study findings further found out that involvement of men and women in decision making on matters concerning the use of forest resources was a key element in achieving forest resource management and sustainability. It is hoped that the findings of this study may benefit the inhabitants of Keiyo North Sub-County in terms of sharing of community resources. The study will further benefit the government through the Kenya Forest Services (KFS) in formulating policies and decisions on gender equity on forest resource management. The study will further form a basis for further research on gender and natural resources management. 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1519 MODELING GROWTH AND YIELD OF GREVILLEA ROBUSTA GROWN ON FARM BOUNDARIES IN NANDI COUNTY, KENYA. CHERUIYOT, SAMSON KIPLAGAT Population pressure has led to changes in land use and livelihood strategies in most highlands of Kenya. This among other factors has contributed to increased integration of fast growing exotic trees species into tree-crop production systems on short rotation for socio-economic benefits. Grevillea robusta is one of the exotic species in Kenya planted along farm boundaries for fuel wood and timber production. . It is preferred by most farmers because of its fast growth and yield as well as its suitability to be integrated with crops. This study investigated growth and yield of G. robusta grown in line configuration boundary planting and their economic implication in Nandi County. The main objective was to model growth and yield of G. robusta grown on farm boundaries. Farmers growing G. robusta and knows its ages were identified and growth data (height, diameter at breast height-dbh) collected. A total of 985 G. robusta trees of ages ranging from 1-15 years in 39 different locations within the Upper and lower highland agro-ecological zone in Nandi County were measured. Four independent variables: height, dbh, location and spacing were modeled against age. The results showed significant differences among trees height (P=0.0001), basal area calculated from dbh (P=0.0001) and location (P=0.0001). Spacing was not significant (P=0.1993). Height took the form; Ht = α + β * (Ageθ) while dbh was Dbh = α + β * (Ageθ) where; Ht = tree height, Dbh = diameter at breast height (1.3 m), Age = tree age in years and α, β and θ are estimated regression coefficients. The local volume equation; was used to model volume because no farmer allowed their trees to be cut, where; V = Tree volume, Dbh = Tree diameter and Ht = Tree height. The study did not find overwhelming evidence (p>0.05) in support of different linear spacing distances. Thus further research, particularly as trees get bigger is recommended so as to advice on thinning for intermediate income. Boundary planting (line spacing) of G. robusta is a good system to be adopted in Nandi County. 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1515 SOME TECHNOLOGICAL WOOD PROPERTIES OF ALBIZIA MALACOPHYLLA KIMAIYO, SYLVESTER KIBET Studies were carried out on wood dimensional stability, density, ash content, natural durability and anatomy of the lesser known Albizia malacophylla so as to improve its utilization potential thus reducing increasing scarcity in hardwood timber supply in Kenya. Wood specimens were exposed to hydrated copper (II) sulphate in a desiccator and dimensional changes evaluated. Wood density was based on oven dry method while ash was generated in a muffle furnace at 525 °C and measured. Extractive content was based on soxhlet extraction using different solvents at different extraction cycles. Natural wood durability against fungi was based on a soil bed test in a laboratory and termite test in the field using AWPA: E7-1993. Thin wood sections were examined for anatomical features using Leica DMLB microscope fitted with EC3 type camera. Wood extracts were subjected to FTIR and GC-MS analysis using standard laboratory procedures. Data was analyzed using statistica Version 7 for windows. Pair wise comparison for dimensional stability and density was done using two sample independent t-tests to test for equality of means while two-way ANOVA was used to test significant difference in means of percentage mass loss between specimens extracted using different solvents and different decay periods. A. malacophylla heartwood is dimensionally stable (5.5%) with less dimensional stable sapwood (9.6%). There was a significant difference (p = 0.000049) between the dimensional stability of heartwood and sapwood. Wood density ranged from 0.84 g/cm3 in sapwood to 1.01 g/cm3 in heartwood while extractive content ranged from 2.35% to 9.71% in heartwood and 2.27% to 4.6% in sapwood. A. malacophylla wood is durable against fungi 8.1% mass loss and very durable against termites, mass loss< 5% reported after 6 months exposure. Results revealed that there was a significant interaction (p < 0.05) between exposure period and the treatments. Heartwood has thin-thick walled wood fibers, exclusively solitary vessels rich in gums and other deposits consistent with the found natural durability. Prismatic crystals were seen as long chains and all ray cells are procumbent. Extractives were found to slow down the growth of fungi under laboratory conditions explaining the observed natural durability. FTIR and GC-MS analysis of crude heartwood extractives indicated presence of aldehydes, ketones carbonyl compounds, esters, aromatic, carboxylic acids and aliphatic carbonyl compounds. Put together, these results indicate that wood from A. malacophylla is a source of valuable biomolecules useful in medical, cosmetic and wood industry. The wood can be a feasible material in construction, furniture and fencing industry where durability is important. Understanding such properties of A. malacophylla provides a basis for a variety of uses both in indoor and outdoor purposes. The research recommends further studies to isolate and identify specific extractive compounds that are responsible for natural durability of A. malacophylla wood. 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1505 AVAILABILITY AND UTILIZATION OF AGROFORESTRY TREES: SOCIO-ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVES IN KESSES AND KAPSERET SUB COUNTIES, UASIN-GISHU COUNTY, KENYA ROTICH, JULIUS Majority of rural area communities worldwide highly depend on natural resources for their livelihood. Despite the enormous benefits of trees on farms, little is known about the social and economic perspectives that influence their preference, utilization and availability. Therefore, this study focused on the factors influencing the availability and utilization of agroforestry trees in Kesses and Kapseret Sub Counties, Uasin Gishu Kenya. The study utilized the survey design and targeted 233,112 residents of the two two sub counties. A sample of 120 farmers were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire to generate information on demographic trends, tree cover on farms, capacity of local institutions on utilization of trees and socio-economic perspectives on a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Data was analysed descriptive statistics and Pearson Coefficient of Correlation. 71 respondents (62.3%) were female while 43 respondents (37.7%) were male. 10.5% of the respondents had no formal education, while 89.5% had various level of education ranging from adult education to post-secondary education. Only 14.9% had post-secondary education. 27.2% of respondents agreed that the tree cover on farms has been increasing over the years with Eucalyptus grandis being the dominant species at 84.2% present in 96 households, 35.1% agreed that the tree cover had decreased and 37.7% agreed that the tree cover on farms had remained the same. 82.6% of respondents strongly agreed that agroforestry trees generates substitute income for purchased products, 77.5% agreed that agroforestry trees are used for timber and fuel wood while 47.5%, 27.7% and 10% of respondents agreed that agroforestry trees improves soil fertility, increase food security and use agroforestry trees as livestock fodder respectively. Land and tree tenure has a high influence on availability and utilization of agroforestry trees as strongly supported by 100% of respondents followed by farm size at 96.5%, availability of information and training at 80.7%, gender at 79.8%, household security at 74.6%, access to market at 62.3% and lastly level of education and availability of labour supported by 57.9% of respondents. The study also found out that an average land holding in Kesses and Kapseret Sub Counties is 1.5 acres. Availability and utilization showed a positive relationship; (r= .786, n=114, p<0.0001) while availability and socio-economic factors also showed a (r= .877, n=114, p<0.0001). Utilization and socio-economic factors also had a positive relationship (r= .854, n=114, p<0.0001). Put together these results suggests a positive correlation between socio-economic factors influencing agroforestry, availability and utilization of trees on farms. There is a need to promote agroforestry technologies, practices and capacity building in Kesses and Kapseret Sub Counties 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1455 WOODFUEL ACCESSIBILITY IN THE RURAL AND URBAN AREAS OF TRANS-NZOIA AND WEST-POKOT COUNTIES, KENYA NAMASWA, TIMOTHY WEKESA This study investigated woodfuel accessibility in the rural and urban areas of Trans Nzoia and West-Pokot Counties, with the aim of providing scientific data for appropriate decision-making in ensuring sustainable accessibility. Across-sectional research design and multi-stage sampling techniques were applied. Kolongolo and Kacheliba were selected as rural areas of Trans-Nzoia and West-Pokot respectively, Kitale and Makutano were selected as urban areas. Questionnaires were administered to 365 households and 50 Small Scale Enterprises (SME) hotels, and 10 key informants interviewed. Field observations were made and captured using digital camera. Accessibility levels were categorized into very accessible, accessible, inaccessible and very inaccessible. Linear regression, Kruskal-Wallis test, and χ2 -test of association were used in data analysis. Results indicated that among households, firewood and charcoal were accessible in Kacheliba, but inaccessible in Kolongolo, Makutano and Kitale. Among SME hotels, charcoal was inaccessible both in Makutano and Kitale. In general, woodfuel was accessible in Kacheliba, and inaccessible in Kolongolo, Makutano and Kitale. In Kolongolo, 85.6% of households using firewood were practicing freehold land tenure. In Kitale, 79.1% of households using charcoal had adopted improved charcoal cook stove with a ceramic lining. In Kacheliba, 71.4% of households using charcoal were aware of government policies governing charcoal production, transportation and utilization. In Makutano, 71.4% of households using charcoal had a family size of between 4 and 6 members. Kruskal Wallis test indicated a significant difference in woodfuel accessibility levels between the four study areas (χ2 (3,95)=46.526, N =405, P = <0.001). χ2 -test of association indicated that firewood and charcoal accessibility levels have insignificant association with existing government policies and regulations. This research concluded that in West-Pokot County, woodfuel is accessible in rural areas, but inaccessible in urban areas, while woodfuel is inaccessible in rural and urban areas of Trans-Nzoia County. Firewood and charcoal accessibility are not affected by existing government policies and regulations. It recommends efficient enforcement of existing policies that will reduce distance travelled, time taken, cost and budgetary allocation on firewood and charcoal among households and SME hotels. 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z