Mining sacred nature: Extractivism and constrained agency in Kenya's sacred forests

Structural power, manifested through land dispossession and extractive practices by mining companies and the state, significantly constrains the agency of local communities in Kenya's Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests. This constraint negatively impacts collective action norms, resource access, and the capacity to resist extractivism and state interference. The study identifies six interconnected domains—historical, social, cultural, economic, political, and psychological—that shape these constraints, ultimately influencing community motivation and ability to achieve desirable outcomes. Using a case study approach, the research highlights the complex interplay between culture, society, and nature in the face of extractive pressures.

Kioko, E. M., Nzau, J. M., & Wafula, C. B. (2026). Mining sacred nature: Extractivism and constrained agency in Kenya’s sacred forests. The Extractive Industries and Society, 27, 101948. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exis.2026.101948