The woodcarving industry in Kenya

Abstract

Woodcarving provides one of the most important uses of wood in Kenya both in terms of economic returns (export value of carvings estimated at over US$20 million annually) and generation of self-employment opportunities (about 80,000 carvers who are breadwinners for over 400,000 family members). Asan informal sector economic activity, the woodcarving industry has continued to attract a large number of unemployed people. Its enormous growth in terms of the number of people engaged in the industry and the extent of spread in the country is causing a major conservation problem through depletion of limited stocks of highly favoured tree species among other socio-economic and management challenges. This chapter describes the organisation and conduct of the woodcarving industry in Kenya, delineates the nature of the challenges facing it, and highlights the probable pathways through which the industry may be sustained.