Plant species and their importance to housing in the Turkana community, Kenya

Abstract

There are many native species that are important to local communities globally. There have been studies on the importance of these plant species for many uses by local communities. Though, there is scanty information on these species’ recognition by researchers. Despite the harsh climatic conditions in Turkana (semi-arid to arid), the community has over the years developed strategies for conservation of some sections of important woodland and riparian zones that provide multiple goods and services for the people and livestock. This study seeks to appraise the plant species preferred for construction and related cultural uses by pastoral communities in Northern Kenya where Turkana county in situated. The key results are list of plant species and their uses in regard to housing as well as the relative importance of the plant species to the Turkana pastoral community for housing. This will inform on priority species for conservation and also emphasize on key areas that this knowledge can be used. Key words: Turkana pastoralists community, housing, indigenous knowledge, plant species.