Indigenous Abaluhya Worldview in Climate Adaptation by Communities that Live Adjacent to Kakamega Forest

Climate change adaptation decisions are often made away from local contexts, thus missing the vital insights and innovations and risking maladaptive solutions that waste money, resources and time. It is imperative to examine indigenous Abaluhyia strategies of adaptation in response to climatic changes in areas adjacent to Kakamega Forest. This study aimed to examine the potential of the indigenous Abaluhyia worldview in climate adaptation by communities that live adjacent to Kakamega Forest. The study employed a qualitative descriptive design. The study sample consisted of 106 participants. Data was drawn from respondents using interviews, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and a review of secondary sources. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the results of the study. The study revealed that there are efforts towards climate change adaptation facilitated by various stakeholders; however, incorporating strategies that resonate with the indigenous people’s worldview would produce better results. The results of the study further revealed that the indigenous Abaluhyia worldview indeed had adaptation strategies which enabled them to sail through adverse climate changes. The study therefore recommends that indigenous strategies towards climate change need to be considered since they have the potential to help in the quest to adapt to climate change