Kenya's environment and environmental management

An FAO/UNFPA survey of Kenya's food producing potential points out that the population of Kenya's high potential areas has already exceeded the land's carrying capacity. Today arable land for subsistence farming in these areas is in short supply, and this shortage is resulting in the inevitable expansion of the cultivation boundary into the semi-arid and drought-prone marginal lands of the east and north. As a result of this rapid population growth and its spillover effects from lands of high potential to those of marginal productivity, some semi-arid districts such as Machakos, Kitui, Embu and Baringo are among the most threatened marginal lands in Kenya today. The National Environmental Secretariat (NES) of Kenya estimates that, of the total land area of Kenya of about 569,137 sq. km, approximately 483,830 sq. km (85%) are already experiencing some form of desertification. Out of this proportion, approximately 110,000 sq. km. (19.3%) can be considered to be already severely affected while 53,500 sq. km. (9.4%) show latent to moderate signs of desertification (UNEP, 1987:31). Although desertification in Kenya can be attributed to the combined effects of climate and human impact, the basic problems underlying the more immediate causes are socio-economic and political in nature (Darkoh 1989:18). The rapid growth of human and animal populations in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) and modern influences have disrupted traditional systems of land use which were usually well adapted to the fragile ecosystems causing great damage to them. The government and people of Kenya however are manifesting an increasing awareness of the problems of land degradation and desertification. To contain them, emphasis is being placed on strengthening public participation in afforestation and soil and water conservation projects. Restrictions have been placed on tree clearing and charcoal making and support given to the 'Green Belt' tree planting campaign organised by local NGOs. Considerable attention is being given to research and an attempt is being made to slow the rate of population growth through family planning. Although Kenyan government's policies on the preservation and improvement of the environment are based on the premise that prevention is better than cure, and although these policies emphasise that environmental considerations must be incorporated at the planning stage of development projects, either through lack of political clout or because of lack of the neces