To select suitable crop species to serve as refuges, recommended forages and sorghum and maize cultivars were evaluated for stem borer preference and survivorship in the laboratory and field in 4 locations in Kenya, from 2001 to 2005. Vegetation surveys were conducted in 15 districts of Kenya to quantify the area covered by natural refuges. Workshops were also held with farmers and extensions to rank refuge species. Results from field and laboratory trials indicated highest egg production, survival and more exit holes in all sorghum and maize cultivars and some forages. The vegetation surveys indicated adequate natural refuges in most districts. Sorghum, non-Bt maize and napier should be promoted as refuges in Kenya. The paper also discussed the farmers\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\' criteria for ranking refuges and their preferences by gender in different locations in Kenya.