Mau Forest | Kericho

Mau Forest is the largest indigenous montane forest in East Africa and one of Kenya’s most vital ecological assets. Located in the Mau Escarpment area of the Rift Valley, it spans parts of multiple counties including Kericho, Bomet, Nakuru, Narok, Baringo, and Uasin Gishu. Mau Forest is not only a natural wonder—it is also a critical water catchment area, a biodiversity hotspot, and a climate stabilizer for Kenya and the wider region.

Overview

Area: Originally covered over 400,000 hectares, though much has been degraded

Elevation: Ranges between 1,800 to 3,000 meters above sea level

Geographic feature: Part of the Mau Escarpment, which forms the western wall of the Great Rift Valley

Forest type: Afro-montane forest, characterized by a mix of tropical highland trees, bamboo, and grasslands

Ecological Importance

The Mau Forest Complex is often referred to as “Kenya’s water tower” because it stores and regulates water that feeds numerous rivers and lakes. It supports the flow of over 12 major rivers, including:

Mara River – flows into the Maasai Mara and Serengeti ecosystem

Yala, Sondu, Nzoia, Ewaso Ng’iro, and Ainabkoi Rivers

These rivers feed Lake Victoria, Lake Nakuru, Lake Natron, and other major water bodies

The forest also supports groundwater recharge and microclimate regulation, preventing erosion, droughts, and desertification in adjacent areas.

Biodiversity

Mau Forest is home to rich flora and fauna, including several endemic and endangered species.

Flora:

Indigenous hardwood trees such as cedar, podo, olive, and camphor

Bamboo zones at higher elevations

Understory plants, mosses, ferns, and medicinal herbs

Fauna:

Leopards, forest buffalo, giant forest hogs, bushbuck, and colobus monkeys

Over 300 bird species, including Hartlaub’s turaco, African crowned eagle, and green ibis

Rare species such as bongo antelopes and tree hyraxes

Sections of the Mau Forest Complex

The Mau is actually a collection of forest blocks, known collectively as the Mau Forest Complex. Major blocks include:

South West Mau

Eastern Mau

Molo Forest

Mau Narok

Olenguruone

Maasai Mau

Trans Mara Forest

South and East Tinderet

Western Mau

Each block has unique features and faces different levels of degradation and human encroachment.

Human Impact and Conservation Challenges

Mau Forest has been heavily encroached upon over the decades, especially from the 1980s onward, due to:

Illegal settlements and land allocations

Charcoal burning and logging

Agricultural expansion and grazing

Political interference and historical land injustices

These activities have resulted in massive deforestation, with estimates of over 110,000 hectares lost. The consequences include:

Decreased river flows and drying springs

Soil erosion and landslides

Biodiversity loss

Regional climate shifts and water scarcity

Conservation Efforts

The Kenyan government and various conservation bodies have made efforts to protect and restore Mau Forest:

Eviction of illegal settlers and degazettement of encroached land

Reforestation programs by government agencies, schools, and NGOs

Establishment of forest community associations for participatory conservation

Involvement of organizations like Kenya Forest Service (KFS), UNEP, and WWF

However, these efforts remain politically and socially sensitive, especially regarding resettlement and land rights.

Cultural Significance

Mau Forest is home to the Ogiek community, an indigenous forest-dwelling people who have lived in and protected the forest for generations. The Ogiek depend on the forest for:

Beekeeping and honey harvesting

Hunting and gathering

Traditional medicine and cultural rituals

They have been involved in legal battles to secure their ancestral land rights and to protect the forest from commercial exploitation. In 2017, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights ruled in favor of the Ogiek’s right to their land, a landmark decision in indigenous rights law.

Tourism and Activities

While not a mainstream tourist destination like the Maasai Mara or Mount Kenya, parts of the Mau Forest can be explored for eco-tourism and nature-based adventures, especially for:

Birdwatching

Guided forest hikes

Botanical exploration

Photography

Cultural visits with the Ogiek community

Access can be made from towns like Kericho, Nakuru, Narok, and Bomet, depending on which block of the forest you want to visit.

Summary

Mau Forest is a cornerstone of Kenya’s environmental health—a living reservoir that feeds rivers, sustains wildlife, supports communities, and regulates the climate. It is a place of natural wonder, cultural depth, and ecological urgency. The forest’s survival is essential not just for Kenya, but for the stability of entire ecosystems that stretch across East Africa.