Ways of solving environmental problems in Kenya

A dry land area in Kenya

Many institutions that address themselves to environmental issues have been in place since time memorial. However, without a consolidated law on the environment and given the current status of laws, the functions of some of these institutions overlap. Obviously there is a need for institutional legislation that would integrate environmental management within the framework of the proposed environmental law. The National Environment Management Authority is mandated to coordinate all those institutions that may have an interest in environmental management.


1 Encouraging Afforestation Projects
Wood fuel is still the most important source of domestic energy in Kenya. Trees are also required as a source of timber both for domestic consumption and export. Tree cutting has therefore lead to deforestation, soil erosion and desertification in many parts of Kenya. Regional tree planting initiatives should be established and encouraged to help save the forests.

2 Pest Control Programmes.
Specific programmes geared towards the areas affected by pests and diseases like those affecting the pastoral farmers should be introduced in such areas to educate and enable such farmers understand the nature of these problems especially in relation to the environment and how effective measures can be taken to control such problems.

3 Conservation of Biodiversity.
In Kenya, there is a rapid depiction of the living natural resources.
Deforestation, land degradation and desertification are the main processes affecting the loss of biodiversity. Citizens should be educated on the needs to protect the environment since the majority of Kenyan population are either not aware of the importance of managing their environment or the dangers that waits them having degraded their environment.

4 Community Participation.
Local participation in the identification and implementation of development projects is essential since the complex interaction between social, cultural, economic and environmental factors are best understood by those involved, and their contribution to the planning process would promote the preparation of appropriate development strategies.
Participation can be direct or indirect. It is seen as a process by which local people become managers of their own development and are simultaneously becoming more empowered. Participation entails the involvement of communities in designing, planning, implementing and the evaluating their resource development programmes. Thus a major hindrance to community participation has been the attitudes and behaviour of the public sector development workers.
In retrospect the encouragement of local communities to participate in conservation practice should be given priority so as to ensure a sound foundation upon which relevant environmental policies could be effectively implemented.

5 Environmental Education and Awareness Initiative (EEIA).
EEAI provides a platform to inform, educate and engage various stakeholders. The goal is to enhance voluntary initiatives and participation in environmental conservation activities by every Kenyan through education and awareness campaigns. This is expected to foster inclusiveness and partnerships in environmental conservation and management. The implementation of EEAI should ensure effective stakeholder involvement and resource mobilization in environmental management.

EEAI should aim to;
i) Increase environmental awareness and participation in environmental activities
ii) Mobilize the general public to get involved in the protection and conservation of the environment and especially catchment conservation.
iii) Encourage media to embrace effective, positive and informative environmental coverage in order to enhance awareness and prioritization of the environment.

These could be achieved through;
• Public awareness campaigns
• Outreach and education
• Tree planting
• Clean-up campaigns
• Creating awareness of environmental challenges and solutions
• Promotion of best practices
• Dissemination of environmental messages through mass and folk media.

6 Involvement of Religious Organizations.
Almost all religions in Kenya believe that the Earth is a creation which requires nursing. However, few of these have incorporated environmental planning and conservation in their teachings. These religions could be very effective in spreading environmental information, considering the very large number of followers they have.
At present some of these tasks are being handled by other NGOs which seem to have been better equipped, but they have very minimal coverage. On the other hand, the potential held by traditional religions in this regard remains untapped.

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