Land-Use Policy and Environmental Conservation in Kenya

Abstract

The paper begins by providing a brief inventory of the Kenyan land and water resource. Land use types are seen as comprising two main categories, namely: those occurring in the medium-to high-rainfall areas and those occurring in the Arid and Semi Arid Lands. The combined effects of population growth in high potential areas leading to migration to low potential areas are explained in terms of ecological impacts. Land-use policy is described as a separate series of instruments specific to land, agriculture, water, forests, vegetation cover, minerals, wildlife and livestock with a primary aim of ensuring optimal land-use with minimum conflicts between the competing activities and their administration. Environmental management in Kenya has over the years been facilitated by the existence of a host of policies, legal statutes as well as institutions pertaining to these various sectors. Whereas the Government's commitment to conservation and the sustainable use of resources has been stated in all national development plans since independence, this has eventually proved wanting in terms of lack of focus and effective enforcement. Fortunately, the post UNCED era lias spawned a flurry of activities in the right direction. The recently articulated National Environment Action Plan (NEAP) clearly attests to this. The paper concludes by urging a clear land-use policy formulation in order to achieve the country's major development objectives. In this respect, the enactment of both the Environmental Management Policy, Legislation, and the establishment of a land-use Commission are seen as instrumental.