Overview
  Located in Eastern Africa, Kenya's total surface area is 585,000 sq. km. Out of Kenya's total land area of 58 million hectares, gazetted forests compromise only some 1.7 million hectares, corresponding to 2.9% of the national land area.
In the semi arid regions, forest is mainly found on isolated mountains and discontinuous areas, with open woodlands and scrubs occupying most of the typology. These arid conditions contribute to further destruction of forest cover through charcoal burning and unsustainable agricultural practices that promote erosion.
The environmental situation
Over time, Kenya's environmental records has been poor and of note is the gradual loss of forest cover to under 5% an unsustainable mass for human and ecosystem survival. - Expert studies reveal that forest cover of 10% is required to sustain life naturally as this affects the availability of rain, under ground water, soil fertility and clean air, prevention of soil erosion and overall beauty of landscape.
- Environmental management is therefore prerequisite for sustainable development.
- Environmental impacts from livelihood activities have not been documented sufficiently and policy in environmental conservation have also been poor. The impact has been serious social economic challenges that have been fostered by drought, declining water resources, fragile eco-system and food insecurity.
- There is need therefore to engage more players in the conservation effort to save Kenya’s social economic future.
- The recognition of long term Environmentalist Professor Wangari Maathai as a Nobel laureate was a great leap for Kenya and a wake up call for higher investment in Kenya’s environmental action.
Green Africa Foundation (GAF) will contribute to the institutional and practical responses to ensure a reversal, of unsustainable environmental abuses and create a conservation culture among the youth.
Environmental Management Policy
 It is notable that sessional papers on food policy are quiet on the links between food insecurity and environmental management. Thus, a policy discord exists between various actors and the environment is often treated in isolation of food security, water and land use policies.
Impact of Poor policies on Kenya's environment
The impact of poor policies has been serious socio-economic challenges that have been fostered by drought, declining water resources, fragile ecosystems and food insecurity.
There is need therefore to engage more players in the conservation efforts in order to save Kenya's socio-economic future. |
