Uncontrolled harvesting of the famous Mondia whitei, popularly known as mukombero in Kakamega Forest has attracted the intervention of authorities.
The roots of this plant are much loved by people who believe it gives them sexual energy.
According to Mr Silvester Mambili, a representative of the Community Forest Associations in Western Conservancy, people even come from as far as Mombasa looking for it.
“The mukombero from Kakamega Forest is very sweet, with a pleasant flavour when chewed. This has attracted people from as far as Mombasa, Nairobi and central Kenya to come and buy the herbal roots,” said Mr Mambili as quoted by Daily Nation.
However, people have now gone too far in the harvesting of the roots of this plant, something that might lead to its extinction, if not checked.
Sustainable Land Management/Sustainable Forest Management project has been launched to encourage communities around Kakamega forest to plant this plant in their gardens.
The authorities have even planned to have an electric fence around the forest to keep off people.
Western region Kenya Forest Service Head of Conservancy Jim Okuto confirmed that the electric fencing project will kick off in 2020.
He noted that the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) are also connected to this project and have done an audit which will be used for this project.
“The environmental audit is an important component of the project and the community has been brought on board to ensure they support the initiative,” said Mr Okuto.