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Sixth National Report

submitted on: 05 Feb 2021   last updated: 02 Mar 2021

Section I. Information on the targets being pursued at the national level

Kenya

Section II. Implementation measures, their effectiveness, and associated obstacles and scientific and technical needs to achieve national targets


The Kenyan Constitution 2010

The 2010 Kenya constitution gave a lot of emphasis to environmental conservation and sustainable development. The Preamble is emphatic and states that “We, the people of Kenya –Respectful of the environment, which is our heritage, and determined to sustain it for the benefit of future generations. Article 2(5) states that the general rules of international law shall form part of the law of Kenya. For the purposes of protection of the environment several principles of international environmental law which act as a guide on development of environmental legislation have been identified. Among the said principles are the polluter pays principle; public participation; sustainability; inter & intra- generational equity; prevention; and precautionary principle.

Chapter 5 on Land and Environment emphasizes that the state has an obligation to protect the environment as well as protect the rights of the people regarding their dependence on and use of the environment. Article 42 under Chapter 4 on the Bill of Rights guarantees every person a right to a clean and healthy environment, which includes the right to (a) to have the environment protected for the benefit of present and future generations through legislative and other measures, particularly those contemplated in Article 69; and (b) to have obligations relating to the environment fulfilled under Article 70.

Article 69 of the Kenyan constitution outlines the obligations of the state in protecting the environment. These include ensuring sustainable exploitation, utilization, management and conservation of the environment and natural resources, and ensure the equitable sharing of the accruing benefits, aim to achieve and maintain a tree cover of at least ten per cent of the land area of Kenya, protect and enhance intellectual property in, and indigenous knowledge of, biodiversity and the genetic resources of the communities, encourage public participation in the management, protection and conservation of the environment, protect genetic resources and biological diversity, establish systems of environmental impact assessment, environmental audit and monitoring of the environment, and eliminate processes and activities that are likely to endanger the environment; and utilize the environment and natural resources for the benefit of the people of Kenya.

The Constitution paved the way for Strengthening Environmental Governance and mainstreaming key elements of the CBD Strategic Plan into the national legal framework. This led to the  review and amendment of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act 1999,  enactment of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2013,  the Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016, Natural Resources (Classes of Transactions Subject to Ratification) Act 2016, Water Act 2016, the Seeds and Plant Varieties amendment Act 2016, and Climate Change Act, 2016. Other instruments developed include National Climate Change Action Plan, Green Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan, National Adaptation Plan, National Water Master Plan 2030, and National Forest Programme 2016-2030 and the Kenya Strategic Implementation Framework for Sustainable Land Management 2017-2027, among others. During the review period, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) was accredited as a National Implementing Entity for the Green Climate Fund. The National Land Use Policy 2017 was developed to provides for legal, administrative, institutional and technological framework that ensure optimal utilization and enhanced productivity of land related resources in a sustainable and desirable manner; at national, county and community levels. The Policy is premised on the philosophy of economic productivity, social responsibility, environmental sustainability and cultural conservation.

EN
Measure taken has been partially effective

The KLRC has carried out comprehensive review of legislation upon receipt of legislative proposals/references from National and County Government MDAs. Feedback mechanisms were established for information sharing and engagement especially by adopting project Committees, stakeholder mapping engagements and collaborations. The Committees specifically address the issue under review by:

a)    Undertaking comprehensive research to determine the prevailing legal position and the deficiencies in the law that may require rectification,

b)    (b) Setting timeframes for the review,

c)    (c) Receiving, collating and analyzing views, including peer review by other legal staff and Commissioner, 

d)    (d) Organizing the requisite consultative fora; (e) Preparing the necessary reports and draft bills, and

e)    (f) Producing an Issues or Position (Discussion) Paper as a key product of its initial research. The Issues or Position (Discussion) Paper must generally include the background information and the specific issues identified for examination.

The KLRC has carried out comprehensive review of legislation upon receipt of legislative proposals/references from National and County Government MDAs. Feedback mechanisms has been  established for information sharing and engagement especially by adopting project Committees, stakeholder mapping engagements and collaborations

EN

CASE STUDY 1: The EMCA Amendment Act 2015

 The Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Amendment) Act, 2015 (Amendment Act 2015) amended EMCA (1999) by introducing section 57A (1) which provides that all Policies, Plans and Programs for implementation should be subjected to Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). All entities are to undertake or cause to be undertaken the preparation of strategic environmental assessments at their own expense and should submit such assessments to the Authority for approval.

SEA helps to ensure that many of the environmental issues of global importance are considered in policies, plans and programs at different administrative levels (i.e. national, regional, local).

In line with Article 6b of the CBD and Article 14 (1) (b) the establishment of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in Kenya was ostensibly in recognition of the fact that the existing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) tool was unable to respond to environmental integration needs at strategic levels of decision-making. An example of the application of SEA is under the LAPPSET Project:

SEA CASE STUDY 2: Lamu Port Southern Sudan - Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor Flagship Project

The LAPSSET Corridor Development Authority (LCDA) is developing the Lamu Port-South Sudan- Ethiopia (LAPSSET) Infrastructure Corridor. It’s an integrated transport infrastructure project under the Kenya Vision 2030 Strategy Framework.

Towards ensuring compliance to both the National Constitution and reigning environmental legislation, the LAPSSET Corridor Infrastructure Development Project (LCIDP) has undertaken a comprehensive Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Study as per Legal Notice 101 of June 2003 and the Guidelines for Strategic Environmental Assessment issued by NEMA in 2014.

The SEA highlighted the following concerns with respect to biodiversity:

Arising recommendation after undertaking SEA:

CASE STUDY 3: Land Use Planning: Tana Delta in Kenya

The National Land Use Policy 2017 provides a legal, administrative, institutional and technological framework for optimal utilization and productivity of land related resources in a sustainable and desirable manner at national, county and community levels. The Policy is premised on the philosophy of economic productivity, social responsibility, environmental sustainability and cultural conservation. Key principles informing it include efficiency, access to land use information, equity, elimination of discrimination and public benefit sharing.

The Tana Delta area has been faced an array of large-scale threats, including biofuels plantations, intensive rice and maize production and mining proposals. Along with the potential loss of the rich biodiversity

Nature Kenya in 2011 led a collaborative and consultative stakeholders’ engagement   in the development of a Tana River Delta Land Use Plan that was guided by a Strategic Environmental Assessment. The land use plan has since been approved and adopted as a policy by the Lamu County government.

The land use plan seeks to promote a balance in the use of the delta. It involves regulated access, wise use and improved rangeland management that will lead to improved sustainable livelihoods, security and equity, and biodiversity conservation

EN

The Executive authority of the county is vested in the Governor and members of the County Executive Committee while the county assemblies core mandate includes inter alia oversight and passing legislation. County legislation is essential in order to enable the full implementation of devolved functions. However, being entirely new entities, the effective exercise of this legislative function by county assemblies has to a large extent been hindered by inter alia a lack of sufficient technical legislative capacity, the absence of proper systems and structures at county level and the lack of a clear guide on the process of formulating legislation.

EN

Vision 2030

Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the MTPs provide the overarching policy framework for the implementation of the CBD Strategic Plan and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets for Kenya. Kenya’s Vision 2030 aims to deliver a “newly industrializing, upper middle-income country providing a high quality of life to all its citizens by 2030 in a clean and secure environment”. This long-term national plan is being implemented through five (5), medium term plans and 25 annual budgets. The current Medium-Term Plan (MTP III) 2018-2022 succeeds the Second MTP (MTP II) 2013-2017 and the First MTP (2008-2012). The Social Pillar of Kenya Vision 2030 demands development in a clean secure environment for all citizens as essentially guaranteed by the National Constitution 2010 and the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) and its 2015 revision-the Environmental Management and Coordination (Amendment) Act.

One of the key achievements of the MTP II was the successful implementation of the devolved system of government. This saw the establishment of 47 County Governments with the relevant enabling laws in place and the transfer of devolved functions which give mandate to county governments to manage and conserve their natural resources. The key objective of MTP III is to implement policies, Programmes and projects that facilitate attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 15 on environmental sustainability. All Ministries, Counties, Departments and Agencies (MCDAs) report on the relevant monitoring indicators identified by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).

Noting that 42% of Kenya’s GDP and 70% of the employment is derived from natural capital, mainly in the sectors of agriculture, forestry, mining, fisheries and tourism, the development of a national green economy strategy was identified as a priority under the MTP II to support implementation of Vision 2030. A Green Economy Assessment was undertaken in 2014 which proposed the alignment of the Green Economy across the social, economic and environmental spheres of society. The Green Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan (GESIP) notes that integrating natural capital into economic growth poses a challenge towards transitioning to Green Economy. Kenyan prices and policy regime do not fully account for the external costs associated with technologies, products and practices that are environmentally friendly. As such, the thematic area 3 on Sustainable Natural Resource Management focuses on the economy-environment nexus to optimize contribution of Kenya’s natural resource to the economy, industralization and livelihoods. It encompasses agriculture, forestry, water, wildlife, land use and extractive industries. GESIP seeks to address the drivers of change in both biological and physical aspects of natural resources emphasizing the need for decoupling development from natural resources management and conservation of Kenya’s natural capital. In order to address the degradation and loss of natural resources, the tools under this thematic area include spatial planning and targeted periodic valuation of natural capital, payment for ecosystem services and environmental accounting to be scaled up.

In order to realize the aspirations of Vision 2030 goals, the government has made efforts to mainstream gender into government policies, plans, budgets and Programmes as an approach geared at achieving gender equity in all aspects of society. Moreover, the government has sought to increase the participation of women through the affirmative action policy of at least 30 per cent representation in all economic, social and political decision-making processes and platforms as well as through economic empowerment. In addition, the government is seeking to ensure that the country upholds the basic rights of children in line with internationally recognised standards; and produces a globally competitive labour force inclusive of young people at all levels, through youth empowerment Programmes and policies.

EN
Measure taken has been partially effective


Under MTP 1,

  • National Spatial Plan concept papers on National Land Use Policy and National Spatial Plan prepared.
  • Established
     the institutional framework for the preparation of the National Spatial
     Plan Land cover and land use maps updated/modernized:
  • Land
     Reform Programme: Environment and Land Court Act, 2011, National Land
    Commission Act, 2012, Land Act, 2012 and Land Registration Act, 2012,
    Sessional Paper No 3 of 2009 on National Land Policy;

For the Environment, Water and Sanitation Sector

  • Solid
     waste management strategy was developed during MTP I period to provide
    the strategic framework for clamping down on illegal dumpsites.
  • A
     draft policy document on Nairobi Rivers Basin Programme (NRBP) was
    developed. A national geo-spatial data infrastructure for environmental
    and natural resource management was developed.
  • The coastal zone pollution prevention guidelines and shore management strategy and guidelines were finalized.
  • Four management plans for wetlands were developed.
  • The national irrigation master plan was finalized and implementation commenced.
  • Six water catchment management strategies were completed during MTP I.
  • Transboundary water policy was prepared and submitted to the cabinet for approval.

Under MTP 11

Under Science, Technology and Innovation,

  • Key
     policy and legal reforms undertaken include the following draft
    policies and bills developed included: Biosciences Policy and Bill,
    Nanotechnology policy, the Natural Products Policy and Bill.
  • The
     following institutions were established: Kenya National Innovation
    Agency (KENIA), National Research Fund (NRF), National Commission for
    Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI),

With respect to land reforms,

  • the National Spatial Plan was finalized;
  • the Kenya National Spatial Data Infrastructure Policy and the National Land Use Policy submitted to Cabinet for approval.
  • Community Land Act (2016) and Land Laws(Amendment) Act 2016 were enacted
  • the Physical Planning Bill was submitted to the Senate.

Under EDE, these initiatives included:

  • The
     establishment of the National Disaster Management Unit under the
    Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government
  • Establishment
     of disaster loss databases as a tool for drought risk reduction
    planning, new investment for pastoral reinforcement and transformation
  • Establishing
     of new architecture for peace, establishment of National Drought
    Management Authority and Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) focused
    institutions

In the Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Sector,

  • Kenya
     adopted the climate-smart agriculture such as harnessing farm waste as
    source of organic fertilizer and use of bio-fertilizer that does not
    contribute to harmful emissions, better weather forecasting/early
    warning systems, growing resilient food crops, managing post-harvest
    losses and crop insurance.
  • The
     following acts were enacted: The Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
    Authority Act 2012; the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Act
    2012 and the Crops Act 2012. This has given rise to the Agriculture,
    Fisheries and Food Authority (AFFA); and the Kenya Agricultural and
    Livestock Research Organization (KALRO).
  • Ministry established a livestock insurance scheme targeting 14 ASAL counties.
  • Tuna
     Fisheries Development and Management Strategy was developed In 2014,
    the government acquired a 55.6-meter-long Deep-Sea Research Vessel at a
    value of Kshs 3.2 billion to enhance the capacity on marine fisheries
    research.

Under the Environment, Water and Sanitation Sector, in the MTP II period,

  • The
     Environmental Management and Coordination Act 1999 and Wildlife
    Conservation and Management Act 2013 were reviewed. In addition, the
    Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016, Natural Resources Act,
    2016, Water Act 2016, and Climate Change Act 2016 were enacted. The
    National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) was also accredited as a
     National Implementing Entity for the Green Climate Fund.
  • A total of 47 County Environmental Action Plans were developed and finalized.

Under manufacturing, On the Natural products industry initiative,

  • Documentation
     and profiling of all relevant players in the sub-sector involved in raw
     material access; technology transfer; patenting; product quality and
    licensing regulators; and marketing of finished products was undertaken.
     
  • A number of products were identified for market-sounding.

Proposed for MTP III

The key highlights for MTP III Environment, Water, Sanitation and Regional Development under the Policy, Legal and Institutional Reforms component are

Policy Reforms

  • Develop
     Meteorology Policy; National Air Quality Management Strategy; Policy on
     plastics; National Solid Waste Management Policy; Policy on population,
     health and environment; National Resource Assessment Policy; National
    Water Policy; Legal framework for the implementation of trans -boundary
    water policy.
  • Finalize
     National Wildlife Conservation and Management Policy; National Policy
    on Groundwater Resources Development and Management; National Irrigation
     Policy; National Land Reclamation Policy; review of the RDA Policy
  • Draft Water Towers Management Policy; National water harvesting and storage Policy

Legal Reforms

  • Develop Meteorology Bill; Bill on plastics; National Solid Waste Management Bill;
  • Review
     Environmental Impact/Audit Regulations of 2003, and the Environmental
    Management and Co-ordination (Wetlands, river banks, lake shores and sea
     shore management) Regulations, 2009; Environmental Management and
    Co-ordination (Water Quality) Regulations, 2006; Kenya Water Institute
    Act 2001.
  • Enact regulations and guidelines to operationalize the Wildlife Act 2013;
  • Develop regulations and guidelines to operationalize the Forest Conservation and Management Act 2016;
  • Draft the Biodiversity Bill; Water Towers Management Bill; National water harvesting and storage Bill.
  • Finalize
     the regulations and guidelines to operationalize the Water Act 2016;
    Finalize National Irrigation Bill; Finalize National Land Reclamation
    Bill; Review of the RDA legal framework.

Institutional Reforms

  • Operationalize
     the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority; and Transit the
    Water Sector Institutions as per Water Act 2016.



EN

a.    Inadequate budgetary allocation,

b.    Inadequate enactment of policy and legislation,

c.    Slow implementation of PPP projects,

d.    Environmental degradation and pollution,

e.    Inadequate bilateral mechanisms of trans-boundary natural resources,

f.     Increased population pressure,

g.    Inadequate institutional capacity to implement certain environmental initiatives

h.    Inadequate technical capacity to implement projects and programmes;

i.      Inadequate water conservation strategies,

j.      Insecurity and resource conflicts in project areas,

k.    Invasive plant species have posed a remarkable challenge to the integrity of the various ecosystems across the country,

l.      Delays in implementation of functions devolved from National to County,

m.   Frequent shifting of the integrated development functions across ministries leading to slow implementation of ongoing projects and programmes;

n.    Poor infrastructure that inhibits access to project sites.

EN

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN KENYA

Kenya found necessary to establish the extent to which the SDGs converge with Kenya’s own development objectives as set out in the Kenya Vision 2030 and therefore identify which SDGs are relevant to Kenya’s development context. This was done by mapping each of the 17 goals with Vision 2030 within the second Medium Term Plan. The mapping indicated that the Kenya Vision 2030 is well aligned to the global development framework and its implementation is directly linked towards achieving both the Vision and SDGs.

The timeframe for the Vision 2030 coincides with the timeframe for the SDGs. This was an opportunity for Kenya as progress towards the national priorities as spelt out in the Vision are matched with progress towards the SDGs. Since vision is implemented at both the national and sub national levels through five-year Medium-Term Plans and County Integrated Development Plans respectively, the SDGs have been mainstreamed at these two levels. Further, the Constitution also establishes that any treaty ratified by Kenya will form part of national law. As a result, the implementation of the new constitution fast tracks the achievement of the SDGs.

The government is responsible for tracking and reviewing of the SDGs. This is done both at the national and sub national levels. At the national level, monitoring and evaluation of policies, projects and Programmes outlined in MTP is done through National Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation System (NIMES) which was established in 2004. It employs a result-based monitoring framework and provides important feedback to policy makers and the general public on the national government’s performance.

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics(KNBS) has mapped out 128 out of the 230 SDG Global Indicators, whose data can be available within the short term and work is going on to increase the number of indicators within the next five years. The KNBS has identified the period 2009-2014 as the base period for the SDGs. This is based on data availability and the priorities of the country. The indicators will be used to track and report on the process and progress of the implementation.

The National Treasury and Planning has strengthened the National Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation Systems (NIMES) and County Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation Systems (CIMES), including preparation of regular progress reports on the Plan implementation. The County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs), County Spatial Plans and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) Strategic Plans (2018-2022) have been aligned to the MTP III and the National Spatial Plan.

EN
1. Awareness of biodiversity values
2. Integration of biodiversity values
3. Incentives
4. Use of natural resources
5. Loss of habitats
6. Sustainable fisheries
7. Areas under sustainable management
8. Pollution
9. Invasive Alien Species
10. Vulnerable ecosystems
11. Protected areas
12. Preventing extinctions
13. Agricultural biodiversity
14. Essential ecosystem services
15. Ecosystem resilience
16. Nagoya Protocol on ABS
17. NBSAPs
Measure taken has been partially effective

In line with the outcome document of the United Nations Summit for the Sustainable development (paragraph 79) , encouraged  member states to “conduct regular and inclusive reviews of progress at the national and sub-national levels which are country-led and country-driven.

Kenya prepared Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) and shared  experience in the implementation of the SDGs two years after adoption. The overall objective was to assess the progress made in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals for purpose of continued policy planning and implementation.

The Key challenges noted were:

  • Absence of baseline data for some of the indicators affected monitoring their progress;
  • Inadequate capacity on SDGs implementation, monitoring and reporting affected the adequacy of stakeholder submissions;
  • No clear modalities of engaging the large number of stakeholders in the preparatory process; and
  •  Consolidation of inputs from stakeholders with different views into one report that conforms to the common reporting guidelines

EN

Goal 12: Ensure Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns

In order to enhance efficiency in the use of natural resources and energy, the industrial sector has embraced cleaner production technologies through technical assistance by the Kenya National Cleaner Production Centre. The Centre has built capacity of industries in improving efficiency in the status of production systems/equipment in order to reduce wastage of raw materials and energy aimed at minimizing waste generation at source.

The country has also pioneered the Green Economy Strategy initiatives that aim to support development efforts towards addressing key challenges such as poverty, unemployment, inequality, environmental degradation, climate change and variability, infrastructure gaps and food insecurity. A green growth path results in faster growth, a cleaner environment and high productivity.

The Minerals and Mining Policy was developed and approved in 2016. The enactment of Mining Act 2016 and the development of 14 regulations necessary to operationalize this Act are in their final stages. In addition, the Mining Policy 2016 has put sustainable mining at the core of all extractive industries.

The private sector in Kenya is also championing sustainable consumption and production under the SWITCH Africa Green Project. Several companies have mainstreamed use of biodegradable materials in their production and consumption.

Goal 13: Take Urgent Action to Combat Climate Change and its Impacts

Climate change is considered one of the serious threats to sustainable development globally. Climate is a major driving factor for most of Kenya’s economic activities and therefore high priority has been given to climate change and its impacts on livelihood and economic development. During the period under review, Kenya developed the National Disaster Reduction Strategy and Policy and National Disaster Preparedness and Response Strategies in 2016. Efforts that have been put in place by the Government on Strategies for disaster risk reduction (DRR) include: Establishment of National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) which is created through the Enactment of the National Drought Management Authority Act, 2016 and adoption of the 10 year Ending Drought Emergencies (EDE) Strategy covering the period, 2012-2022.

The Climate Change Act 2016 establishes the Climate Change Council which comprises stakeholders from National Government, sub national Governments, the private sector, civil society, communities and academia. The Act highlights the climate change response measures and actions, the roles of each of the stakeholders in mitigating effects of climate change and how to engage the public. Kenya also ratified the Paris Agreement on Climate Change which took effect on 27th January 2017.

The Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016 provides for the conservation and management of public, community and private forests and, areas of forest land that require special protection. Forest play a critical role as Carbon dioxide (CO2) sink as well as building resilience to climate change.

In support of the East Africa Community (EAC) Polythene Materials Control Bill, 2016 which proposes a total ban of plastic bags in the EAC countries, Kenya placed a total BAN on plastic bags with effect from August 2017.

The Government is in the process of integrating climate change into the curriculum for primary and secondary levels of education. This is geared towards taking advantage of the current education curriculum review that is being undertaken by the Kenya Institute of Curriculums Development (KICD). Climate change will be mainstreamed in the current subjects and topics and not as a standalone topic. The Kenya School of Government has also developed a climate change curriculum and training manual that will be used to build capacity of both government and private sector on climate change mitigation, adaptation and finance.

The private sector has set up, an incubation programme that supports the development and deployment of technologies that help communities to either mitigate against or adapt to climate change.  Ecotourism Kenya is involved in Climate Change issues primarily through the Ecorating Certification Scheme, a voluntary scheme that covers accommodation facilities and basically advocates for the sustainable use of resources to reduce negative impacts on the environment and to use the dwindling resources in a more equitable manner.

Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the Oceans, Seas and Marine Resources for Sustainable Development

The concept of blue economy is now adopted to guide policy making and investment so as to ensure economic development of the ocean contributes to true prosperity for the current and future generations. In Kenya, Coast Development Authority (CDA) is mandated to provide integrated development planning, coordination and implementation of projects and programmes within the coast region. The Kenya’s EEZ and adjacent environment is well endowed with unique Coastal resources that include the sea, rivers, springs, lakes, deltas, water catchments, hills and rangelands, marine resources, fisheries, tree crops, forestry (mangroves), Kayas, minerals (gemstones), wildlife (Hirola, butterflies), tourism, diverse cultures, monuments and history.

CDA has been addressing development challenges in the coast region by employing participatory, multi-sectoral and integrated development approach that considers all related factors in sustainable utilization and management of the natural resources for the region’s economic development.

The coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas was 10% in 2014. The government has undertaken various measures to fast track this goal.  The Government efforts to protect the forest which are the major water towers resulted into increased water volumes especially in the rift valley lakes leading to increase in fish stocks especially in Lake Naivasha.

The Government enacted Fisheries Management and Development Act 2016 and also continue to enforce controls for exploitation of fisheries resources. The Act provides for the conservation, management and development of fisheries and other aquatic resources and seeks to enhance the livelihood of communities that depend on fishing. The Act gives guidance on importation and exportation of fish and fish products, fish quality and safety.

Goal 15: Protect, Restore and Promote Sustainable use of Terrestrial Ecosystems, Sustainably Manage Forests, Combat Desertification, and Halt and Reverse Land Degradation and Halt Biodiversity Loss

The Government enacted the Forest Conservation and Management Act 2016 to guide the sustainable exploitation of forest resources. In addition, a number of initiatives were undertaken. Green Schools and Commercial Tree Growing for a Green Economy programme was established. The Bamboo Development and Commercialization Strategy (2014-2017), Green Economy Assessment Report and Sustainable Environmental and Restoration Programme were launched.

Several initiatives were further undertaken to reclaim the degraded land. The private sector contribution towards this goal includes a programme that encourages and enables schools to participate in environmental activities by developing small forests and woodlots within their compounds for multiple benefits.

Review of regulations on EMCA Act 2015, Forest conservation and Management 2016 and Wildlife Conservation and Management 2016 sets the best implementation methodology. Development of eighteen wildlife regulations forms a long-term solution to benefit sharing and corridors ownership.

Goal 17: Strengthen Means of Implementation and Revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

In order to ensure quality and adequate data on SDGs, Kenya has strengthened the national statistical office, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. The policy priority of the Kenya Government is to strengthen the National Statistical System to support planning, and monitoring and evaluation of government policies and programmes. The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) is therefore, expected to generate official statistics that are comprehensive, reliable, timely and disaggregated up to the sub national level. Towards this end, the Bureau has established offices in each of the 47 counties to coordinate statistical capacity building programmes at the sub national level and ensure that international standards are applied in the production and dissemination of county statistics.

The government has rolled out the National Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation System (NIMES) and fast-tracking implementation of electronic Project Monitoring Information System (e-promis) to provide a non-stop information portal where information is easily and readily available.

This multi-level monitoring and evaluation system will be used for monitoring the SDGs in the country. The SDGs indicators are being integrated in regular surveys. Efforts have been made to ensure engagement of stakeholders. Emphasis has been paid to building capacity of the national Statistical System to ensure data availability and credibility.

EN

The Key challenges noted were:

Goal 12: Challenges

i. Inadequate physical and social infrastructure in slums and informal settlements;

ii. Rapid urbanization;

iii. Rapid population growth; and

iv. Proliferation of informal settlements.

Goal 13: Challenges

i. Lack of reliable and adequate data on climate issues

ii. Lack of baseline data to measure the progress on implementation of the SDGs in the environment sector.

iii. Low Investment in climate Change research

Goal 14: Challenges

i. Lack of baseline data on marine life and environment management; and

ii. Evasive and alien species that threaten indigenous species by way of predation, alteration of habitat or disruption of ecosystem processes. The prevention, control and elimination of these species is a big challenge in environmental management efforts; In adequate resources.

Goal 15: Challenges

i. Inadequate institutional capacities;

ii. Lack of participatory coordination frameworks in land and forestry management which allow joint planning, monitoring and reporting by key stakeholders,

iii. Insufficient funding;

iv. Illegal logging, charcoal burning and opening up of lands for farming;

v. Low sewerage coverage and insufficient treatment of effluent; and

vi. Natural calamities and resource based conflicts.

EN

Section III. Assessment of progress towards each national target

1. Awareness of biodiversity values

2020 - Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
1. Awareness of biodiversity values
Category of progress towards the implementation of the selected target
Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
27 Mar 2020

I. Publication, launch and dissemination of the Biodiversity Atlas of Kenya and Portal

In 2016 the Government of Kenya with support from DANIDA brought together a wide range of stakeholders and institutions to compile the natural capital of Kenya, produce a biodiversity atlas and develop a web portal for biodiversity information. This was an attempt to present in a visual form the current extent, status, threats, trends, interventions and potential sustainable use opportunities of Kenya’s biological diversity. Efforts were made to collate the available data and information of the country’s biological diversity and present it in form of maps, photos and diagrams that are easy to understand.


The purpose for developing the Atlas and Portal was re-invigorate stakeholders to act on the knowledge, institutional, policy, technological and economic development challenges highlighted in the Atlas. In the same vein, stakeholders and Partners were encouraged to take up the opportunities for sustainable use and economic activities elaborated in the Atlas. The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources, in 2016, when launching the Biodiversity Atlas, called on development partners, private sector, academia, researchers and all relevant stakeholders to increase their efforts and contribution towards achievement of conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, while improving the wellbeing of Kenyans through the creation of wealth as envisioned by Vision 2030.

Over the last several years, many partners have worked together to build the Kenya Biodiversity Atlas Portal - an online platform supporting data generated from “Kenya’s Natural Capital – Biodiversity Atlas” (2015). The platform is open access and supports data acquisition, storage, visualization, and analysis for a variety of uses while maintaining standards to facilitate data exchange and scalability for application in Kenya and East Africa.  With support from the JRS Biodiversity Foundation, the online Portal has been developed with images, maps and other resources and is being enhanced in an initiative led by African Conservation Centre with key Government, Civil Society and Private sector Partners.  The aim is to improve the user interface for local stakeholders and researchers, enhance content through data harvesting and linkages to other global portals, and will identify means of sustaining the portal in perpetuity.


II. Use of Popular Media and Programmes.

In 2016, with support from various Partners, Kenya Wildlife Service and premier TV station, NTV, ran four seasons of the  NTV Wild program that brought award winning documentaries on wildlife to Kenyans during prime time, reaching a nationwide audience. The series provided a platform for debate and discussion with experts on Kenya’s wildlife, its conservation and why it matters so much. Expert panelists included diplomats, government ministers, national park managers, scientists, expert professionals such as economists and lawyers, civil society leaders, and grassroots activists. Viewers participated by posting comments online and taking part in quizzes and competitions, with prizes provided by leading hotels and tourism companies.

NTV Wild Talk addressed biodiversity issues in depth such as wildlife trends, forest loss, protected areas and threatened species among others. A wide range of Partners were involved, includung National Geographic Society, BBC Worldwide, African Environmental Film Foundation, WildlifeDirect and USAID. NTV Wild and NTV Wild Talk became among Kenya’s most anticipated weekly TV programs and regularly featured at the top of the ratings for the prime time Tuesday and Saturday night TV slots while thousands of comments and discussions are generated on Twitter and other social media platforms.

A survey found that overall, 20% of all Kenyans said they had seen NTV Wild and this number rose to 44% for Nairobi County. in 2016, the success of the show received two prestigious awards. In September NTV Wild Talk was awarded second place in the category “best use of online video” at the Africa Digital Media Awards ceremony in South Africa. In October NTV Wild won a special award at Eco Tourism Kenya’s “Eco Warrior Awards” gala for contributing to the transformation of public attitudes towards wildlife conservation in Kenya.


Smriti Vidyarthi host of NTV Wild Talk with her team and KWS team at the Eco Warriors Awards 2016 where NTV Wild Talk received recognition award for changing public attitudes towards wildlife (Source: Eco warrior award 2016:

Figure 8: Ecotourism Eco-Warriors Award Kenya 2016.

III. CONSERVATION EDUCATION INITIATIVES

Key environmental and natural resource management institutions focus on conservation education as part of their institutional mandate. For example, one of the core functions of KWS is to provide wildlife education and extension services to the public for their support in wildlife conservation (http://www.kws.go.ke/content/conservation-education). This contributes to the overall KWS mandate in terms of enhancing wildlife conservation, protection, and management, improving KWS’s linkages, recognition and relationships with stakeholders. National initiatives include

  • School Essay competition: This is an annual event involve schools and higher learning institutions in essay writing on conservation issues. The program gives an opportunity to students and pupils to air their views on viable and practical ideas in support of Wildlife conservation.
  • Kenya Music festival: This is an annual event where KWS sponsor category under Wildlife conservation themes that schools and higher learning institutions compose conservation messages in form of songs, choral verses and public speaking.
  • Community Education programs: It involves general sensitization of the communities adjacent to protected areas on conservation issues
  • Media programs: These are radio and TV programs to sensitize the public and schools on conservation issues. In collaboration with media houses, children programs are organized in Education facilities which give children an opportunity to interact with nature and learn animal behavior.
  • Education Exhibitions and trade fares: These are Exhibitions that gives an opportunity to schools and general public to learn more about conservation issues. Mostly carried out during world biodiversity importance day’s celebrations, higher learning institutions career fares and trade fares.

    Many Civil Societies collaborate with and support national institutions to actively implemented Programmes on conservation education, advocacy and public awareness.

IV. NATIONAL EVENTS

Two key national events supported by the Presidency enhance awareness of the value of biodiversity in Kenya and send a strong conservation message to the general public. These are:

  • The National Tree Planting Day, with Kenya Forest Service
  • Ivory Burn, with Kenya Wildlife Service.
  • National Tree Planting Day 2018

NAIROBI, Kenya May 6 – President Uhuru Kenyatta led the country in a national tree planting exercise: The event was replicated at the County and sub-county levels. “H.E President Uhuru Kenyattal launched the National Tree Planting Day at Moi Forces Academy in Kamukunji Sub-County, Nairobi on 12th May, 2018 from 9am”. The national event, whose theme was ‘Panda Miti, Penda Kenya’, was be graced by the President accompanied by Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko.

https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2018/05/president-kenyatta-to-lead-national-tree-planting-on-may-12/



Kenyans around the country join in tree planting efforts.

https://ww

w.facebook.com/arochakenya/photos/national-tree-planting-day-panda-miti-penda-kenya-is-the-theme-of-the-day-httpww/10156366935943524/






  • Ivory burn

On 1st May 2016, set off the fire for h

istoric

burn

of the 11 massive piles of ivory, which took place at Nairobi National Park. It  was organized by Kenya Wildlife Service and partners, and attended by the presidents of Kenya, Gabon and Uganda, as well as high-level UN officials, including Ibrahim Thiaw, Deputy Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and Helen Clark, Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

“As African leaders soundly rejected “those who think our natural heritage can be sold for money,” senior United Nations officials expressed support for Kenyan-led efforts to end illegal wildlife trade during a weekend ceremony in Nairobi where tonnes of elephant tusks and rhino horns were burned to protest poaching, which is pushing several iconic species to the brink of extinction. In the ceremony, 105 tonnes of ivory and 1.3 tonnes of rhino horns, nearly all of Kenya’s elephant ivory and rhino horn stockpiles, were burned.”

https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2016/05/kenya-stages-largest-ever-ivory-destruction-as-un-reaffirms-zero-tolerance-on-poaching/

As African leaders soundly rejected “those who think our natural heritage can be sold for money,” senior United Nations officials expressed support for Kenyan-led efforts to end illegal wildlife trade during a weekend ceremony in Nairobi where tonnes of elephant tusks and rhino horns were burned to protest poaching, which is pushing several iconic species to the brink of extinction. In the ceremony, 105 tonnes of ivory and 1.3 tonnes of rhino horns, nearly all of Kenya’s elephant ivory and rhino horn stockpiles, were burned.”








World Environment Day 2020 held in Turkana



V. Commemoration of annual international environment days 

  • Kenya has been commemorating international environment days to raise awareness on biodiversity. These are undertaken at National level and celebrated rotationally across counties. Examples include the following:
  1. In 2019, National celebrations to mark the World Environment Day, were held on Wednesday, 5th June 2019, under the theme: Air Pollution, A Silent Killer; and the slogan ‘Hewa Safi, Jukumu Letu’ (Clean Air, Our Responsibility). The Commemoration is undertaken by National and County Governments with involvement of major stakeholders such as civil society, women and youth and private sector. This commemoration is in line with UN day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment.   

  2. In 21st March 2019, Kenya water towers agency together with key stakeholders in environment landscape celebrated the International Day of Forest aimed at raising awareness on the crucial role of forest under the theme : Forest and Education which sought to raise awareness on how to sustainably manage forest and provide a wide array of conservation activities in the country. These commemorations are done rotationally across all the 47 County Governments of Kenya.
  3. The World Wildlife Day is celebrated on 3rd March annually. Kenya commemorated the World WildLife day on 3rd March 2020 under the theme; "Sustaining all Life on Earth" and was hosted at Homa Bay County's Ruma National Park with involvement of County Government. The aim of the celebration was to celebrate the diverse flora and fauna and raise awareness of the multitude of benefits accruing from their conservation. This event fore so the launch of the Roan Antelope Recovery Plan 2020- 2030 and Tree planting which aims at restoring initial viable Roan antelope population to at least 50 individuals by 2023 and maintenance of a minimum growth rate of at least 5% p.a. henceforth.
  4. The World Wetlands Day celebrated on 2nd February 2020 annually, was held in Nakuru County themed; ’Wetlands and Biodiversity’. The aim of this celebration was to mark the adoption of RAMSAR Convention on wetlands, promotion of conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands.
  5. The World Day of Combating Desertification celebrated on 17th June annually, was held last year in Makueni County under the theme; ‘let’s grow the future together.’ The aim of the commemoration was to raise awareness relating to international cooperation to combat desertification and all effects of drought.
  6. The International Day of Biodiversity marked all over the world on 22nd May each year, as part of the domestication of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) was hosted in Busia County under the theme; Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health’.
  7. Other days that are related to the oceans – World Ocean Day, World Fisheries Day, Earth Day etc.

VI. Mainstreaming environmental education into the National Curriculum

The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 4 is to ensure equitable and inclusive quality education for all by 2030. In addition, sustainable development demands that every human being acquires the 21st Century knowledge, skills, attitudes and values necessary to shape a sustainable future. On this basis Kenya began a process to reform its national education policy in 2014. The Education Review in 2015 set the stage for reform to Competency Based Education. The new National Competency Based Education Curriculum Policy was 2018 and the Basic Education Curriculum Framework developed in 2019. The Framework is anchored  on  eight  National  Goals  of  Education, the 8th focused on Environmental Education, hence, “Promote positive attitudes towards good health and environmental protection:  - Education should inculcate in the learner the value of physical and psycho-social well-being   for   self   and   others.      It   should   promote   environmental   preservation   and conservation, including animal welfare, for sustainable development”.

Basic Education is organised into three (3) levels:  Early Years Education (EYE), Middle School Education and Senior School. Environmental education is mainstreamed throughout the three levels.  One of the nine learning outcomes for the EYE is Learning Outcome 5: Explore the immediate environment for learning and enjoyment. Noting that Environmental activities are about the relationship between human beings and their environment; these activities enable  the  child  to  develop  positive  relationships,  appreciate  the  surrounding environment  and  cultural  heritage,  develop  observation  and  discovery  skills,  and  acquire  life skills   required   to   ensure   safety   in   their   environment.

For Middle School, out of the nine Learning Outcomes, Learning Outcome 4: Explore, manipulate, manage and conserve the environment effectively for learning and sustainable development. For Senior School, out of the ten Learning Outcomes, Learning Outcome 7 is Protect, preserve and improve the environment for sustainability. These have translated into the respective curriculum designs.[1]

The use of Ocean Literacy Plaftorms and available materials available from the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission are also important in enhancing ocean literacy. There are several Kenyan Schools that are part of the ASPNet (UNESCO Associated Schools Network) and this ensures that oceans are part of their learning.[2]

VII. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ESD) POLICY

A wide range of ESD activities are taking place in Kenya and are being led by the government, civil society organizations, the private sector as well as communities. These activities include raising awareness, providing capacities and skills, and empowering people and communities to create more sustainable futures. Table 3 below summarizes the ESD policy implementation framework.

Kenya has mainstreamed ESD into the new Competency Based Curriculum. Further, NEMA provides resources (approximately KES 7 million per year) to selected RCE for various activities. However, this is not based on a needs assessment. Innovations from CBOs and small community groups do not get adequate support for their projects. In addition, many of these innovations come from groups with limited capacities to draft successful bid proposals to donors. There is need for a national assessment, which will form the basis for resources utilization. Some examples are shown in Table 4 below.


4: ESD Policy Implementation Framework

(Source: NEMA)

Table 5: RCE Activities to implement the ESD in Kenya supported by NEMA






EN
Indicators and Activities
  • CBD Target 1 Indicator: Trends in public engagement with biodiversity
  • SDG Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all: Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture's contribution to sustainable development: Indicator 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development, including gender equality and human rights, are mainstreamed at all levels in: (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment

Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns: Target 12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature: Indicator 12.8.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development (including climate change education) are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment

EN
Desk top reviews of online and print information, Experts’ opinion, and Stakeholders’ consultation.
Comprehensive literature review on ESD, The information was collated from a checklist distributed to ESD stakeholders; an Internet and desktop review of ESD activities in Kenya; site visits to RCEs, and Civil Society Organizations and the UN (UNESCO and UNEP) whose findings form the education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Kenya Country Report 2005 -2012.


Relevant websites, web links and files (Please use this field to indicate any relevant websites, web links or documents where additional information related to this assessment can be found).

Natural Capital and Biodiversity Atlas of Kenya

ACC Biodiversity Atlas Project https://www.accafrica.org/our_work/explore_programs/bioinformatics_in_east_africa/kenyan-biodiversity-atlas-project/

Launch of the Biodiversity Atlas – Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources Prof. Judi Wakhungu. https://naturalcapitalcoalition.org/kenyas-natural-capital-a-biodiversity-atlas/

Kenya Biodiversity Atlas Portal http://biodiversityatlaskenya.org/

JRS Biodiversity Foundation: https://jrsbiodiversity.org/jrs-announces-three-grants-for-access-to-biodiversity-information-in-africa/

NTV WILD Documentaries and NTV WILD TALK

Wildlife direct annual report 2016 https://wildlifedirect.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Wildlife-Direct-Annual-Report-2016.pdf

Selected documentaries:

NTV WILD TALK https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=NTV+wild+Talk

NTV Willd Talk – Kenya Wildlife Trends https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5wX_M-6tS0

Fighting for Forests: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypL0vcaL8DE

Disappearing Giraffes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypL0vcaL8DE&pbjreload=10

Building the Standard Gaige Railway vs. The Nairobi National Park https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnML9LkOmNc

Exploring mangroves and coral gardens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJjNUGgvYbs

Conservation education

Nature Kenya, who also host field trip and birdwatching http://naturekenya.org/

East African Wildlife Society, who also publish the conservation magazine – SWARA MAGAZINE https://eawildlife.org/

Wildlife Clubs of Kenya who support school wildlife clubs https://www.wildlifeclubsofkenya.org/about-us.html

Ivory Burn

Video – Statehouse Kenya: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImiyC4E-TgM

National Tree Planting Day

http://www.environment.go.ke/?p=4727

Mainstreaming Environmental education into the National Basic Education Curriculum.

Basic Education Curriculum Framework

https://kicd.ac.ke/curriculum-reform/basic-education-curriculum-framework/

National Curriculum Policy

https://kicd.ac.ke/curriculum-reform/national-curriculum-policy/

NEMA CHM

http://meas.nema.go.ke/cbdchm/


EN
Level of confidence
Based on partial indicator information and expert opinion

Some challenges:

  • Information on the indicators available under different forms but not consolidated into a single document.
  • There also has been time lag in adopting the policy and implementation of the Programmes.
  •  Funding has been limited in the implementation of the Programmes.

There is no proper reporting mechanism for the activities being carried out country wide.

EN
Monitoring related to this target is partial (e.g. only covering part of the area or issue)

There is a lack of clear and well-coordinated monitoring framework.

The ESD strategy also needs to be reviewed so as to:

  1. ensure indicators are clear for all stakeholders,
  2. is aligned to related strategies developed in other sectors; and
  3. is aligned to the new developments in both the public and private sector port would be possible by establishing a common and binding vision for ESD.

The Sectoral and stakeholder reporting as captured under Clearing House Mechanism by National Environmental Management Authority. However, there is need to link this to the NIMES and CIMES Monitoring systems by developing indicators to monitoring at the respective levels.

Relevant websites, web links and files (Please use this field to indicate any relevant websites, web links or documents where additional information related to the monitoring system can be found.)

NEMA CHM

http://meas.nema.go.ke/cbdchm/

ESD

https://www.rcenetwork.org/portal/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235308489_Regional_Centres_of_Expertise_on_Education_for_Sustainable_Development_RCEs_An_overview

EN

2. Integration of biodiversity values

2020 - Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
2. Integration of biodiversity values
Category of progress towards the implementation of the selected target
Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
01 Mar 2020
  • Strengthening environmental governance: The Environment Policy 2013, EMCA 2015 - The Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Amendment) Act, 2015 (Amendment Act 2015).
  • Land use Planning - The National Land Use Policy 2017, Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019
  • BIODIVERSITY VALUES ARE BEING INCORPORATED INTO NATIONAL ACCOUNTING, AS APPROPRIATE, AND REPORTING SYSTEM - Green Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan – Kenya 2016-2030, implementing Gaborone Declaration for Sustainability in Africa and resolutions from African Ministerial Conference on the Environment
  • Natural Capital Accounting in Kenya e.g. SEEA accounting for water, forests and energy e.g. National Carbon Accounting System Project and Forest Resources Accounts.
  • PES for watershed services in Lake Naivasha as well as for wildlife habitat in the Mara ecosystems. In addition, the Kenya Nairobi Water Fund and the Sasumua Water Treatment Plans are examples of different types of watershed PES projects in Kenya as well.

  • Natural Capital Accounting in Kenya.

In 2011, the Ministry of State for Planning, National Development, and Vision 2030 released a Poverty and Environment Indicators Report, as part of a broader objective to develop tools for the integration of environment into development plans and budget processes; the report proposed several indicators that could be included in the national monitoring and evaluation framework.[1]

There are other initiatives on Compensation for environmental services program/Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) developed through the Vision 2030 project and the Kenya Poverty Environment Initiative that is run by the Ministry of State for Planning, National Development. Some examples of watershed PES programs (managed both through the Ministry of State for Planning, National Development and other projects as well) include a PES for watershed services in Lake Naivasha as well as for wildlife habitat in the Mara ecosystems. In addition, the Kenya Nairobi Water Fund and the Sasumua Water Treatment Plans are examples of different types of watershed PES projects in Kenya as well.

Kenya has prioritized Strategic Environmental Economic Assessments and  accounting for water, forests and energy.  Examples include the following:

a. Forest Resources Accounts: In 2009, the Kenya Forest Service and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (in collaboration with the UNEP and FAO) developed an Environmental Economic Account for Forestry. This was part of the Ministry of Forest and Wildlife’s Forest Mainstreaming Initiative under the  Miti Mingi Maisha Bora (a bi-lateral program between Finland and Kenya)[2].. The Kenya Forest Research Institute (KEFRI) and the Department of Resource Survey and Remote Sensing (DRSRS) were also involved. The account focused on provisioning services, the timber and non-timber forest products produced by the forests of Kenya. Kenya’s Forest Service and the National Bureau of Statistics are discussing how to incorporate annual updates to the forest account into their regular statistics activity.[3]

The accounts revealed that forests contributed around 3.6% of GDP versus the 1.1% listed in Kenyan national accounts. The maintenance of the Forest Resource Account will be managed by the Forestry


Various Valuation Studies: e.g. Economic valuation of the Mau Forest Complex and Economic analysis of mangrove forests.

EN
Indicators and Activities

National Indicators (GESIP)

The Key Performance Indicators are

  • Value of NRM-GDP contribution
  • Adoption of Satellite account of SNA 03
  • Number of PES schemes established

CBD Indicators

Trends in incorporation of measures of stock and flow of natural resources into national accounting

  • Number of countries implementing natural resource accounts, excluding energy, within the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA)

Trends in number of countries that have assessed values of biodiversity, in accordance with the Convention

  • Progress towards national targets established in accordance with Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 (indicator for SDG target 15.9)

Trends in integration of biodiversity and ecosystem service values into sectoral and development policies

  • Number of countries that have integrated biodiversity in National Development Plans, poverty reduction strategies or other key development plans
EN
  • Desk top reviews,
  • Experts’ opinion, and Stakeholders’ consultation.
EN
Level of confidence
Based on partial indicator information and expert opinion

NEMA is receiving SEA reports for review. The number of SEA reports submitted to NEMA has increased with an average of 10% of the previous year numbers. However, there are Inadequate experts to write SEA reports and inadequate background information to support decision making. NEMA has already developed SEA guidelines and Training Curriculum.

Sectoral and stakeholder reporting as captured under Clearing House Mechanism by National Environmental Management Authority 

http://meas.nema.go.ke/cbdchm/

Natural Capital: A  biodiversity atlas of Kenya.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312046077_Kenya's_Natural_Capital_A_Biodiversity_Atlas

EN
Monitoring related to this target is partial (e.g. only covering part of the area or issue)

Through Monitoring under

GESIP,

      Kenya Forest Programme, and

      the KNBS

EN

3. Incentives

2020 - Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
3. Incentives
Category of progress towards the implementation of the selected target
Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
01 Mar 2020
  • Negative Subsidies: Subsidies on importation and purchase chemical Fertilizers for use in agriculture have negative impacts on conservation of biodiversity. Kenya introduced its national fertilizer subsidy in 2009 in line with its Vision 2030. Soil acidity is a major problem affecting 13% of land area, covering ~7.5 million hectares under maize, legume, tea and coffee crops, grown by over 5 million smallholder farmers. Further, one of the flagship projects under Vision 2030 is to increase the land under irrigation, while the ASTGS has prioritized large scale farming as one of the strategies to transform Agriculture in Kenya.
  • Positive incentives
  • Legal Instruments e.g. The Land Act (2012): Ban on plastics: EMCA ACT 2015, The 10% Forest Cover Target, Logging Bans, Charcoal rules, Wildlife management and conservation Act 2013, Green Economy Strategy and Action Plan by 2016-2030
  • Economic Instruments: e.g. NEMA – e.g. Pollution taxes Discharge licences and permits, KFS Forest taxes, permits and fees, KWS taxes, permits, fees
  • There are various PES Schemes such as Nairobi Water Fund, 25 REDD Projects, 20 registered CDM projects in Kenya, which have been issued 0.4 Mt of CERs and Sustainable financing under the Green Economy mainly through the Kenya Green Bond Programme
EN
Indicators and Activities

Indicators used in this assessment

  • Number of permits being issued (Effluent discharges, EIA Licenses)
  • Number of environmental regulations gazette
  • Number of REDD+ projects
  • Number of CDM projects 



EN


Please describe any other tools or means used for assessing progress

  • Desk studies on use of EIA/EA reulations and other regulations
  • NEMA is developing economic instrument regulations
  • News of importation of fertilizers in Kenya
  • REED projects in Mau forest
  • Plastic bag ban surveys


EN
Level of confidence
Based on partial indicator information and expert opinion
Monitoring related to this target is adequate

No Monitoring system in place

EN

4. Use of natural resources

2020 - Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
4. Use of natural resources
Category of progress towards the implementation of the selected target
Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
01 Mar 2020
  • Kenya has adopted several green economy-related approaches and policies, which include implementing renewable energy feed-in tariffs in 2008, embedding sustainable natural resource utilization into its 2010 Constitution and mainstreaming green economy in its Second Medium Term Plan (2013-2017)
  • In order to enhance efficiency in the use of natural resources and energy, the industrial sector has embraced cleaner production technologies through technical assistance by the Kenya National Cleaner Production Centre.
  • The Minerals and Mining Policy 2016. and Mining Act have put sustainable mining at the core of all extractive industries.
  • The private sector in Kenya is also championing sustainable consumption and production under the SWITCH Africa Green Project. Several companies have mainstreamed use of biodegradable materials in their production and consumption.

The Green Economy Strategy 2016-2030 seeks to enable Kenya to attain higher economic growth rate consistent with Vison 2030 while promoting economic resilience and resource efficiency, sustainable management of natural resources, development of sustainable infrastructure and support for social inclusion.

EN
Indicators and Activities

Kenya SDG Indicator ( Baseline, 2015-2018)

12.3.1

(a) Food loss index

per capita (Kcal)

79

84.6

73.3

79.6

60.3

food loss per capita derived from Food Balance Sheet (FBS)

National Indicators (GESIP)

Increase national energy efficiency

  • Number of energy management voluntary agreements
  • % of population adopting energy efficient technologies
  • % of energy saved
  • No. of audits carried out
  • No. of energy performance standards developed

Enhance water use efficiency in urban and rural areas

  • No. of water footprint reduction schemes
  • % reduction in water consumption
  • %reduction in water water discharges
  • Improved levels of quality of surface and groundwater

Manage waste as aresource

  • % reduction in recyclable waste disposal in landfills
  • Enhanced recovery from waste
  • No. of new businesses created in the waste management sector

Promote sustainable extractive industry

  • Standards developed and enforced
  • Efficiency in water and energy use
  • Proportion of value addition

CBD indicators

Trends in population and extinction risk of utilized species, including species in trade

  • Red List Index (impacts of utilization)
  • Red List Index for Species in Trade

  • Proportion of traded wildlife that was poached or illicitly trafficked (indicator for SDG target 15.7)
  • Proportion of national exclusive economic zones managed using ecosystem-based approaches (indicator for SDG target 14.2)

Trends in use of natural resources and/or related concepts

  • Ecological footprint
  • Material footprint (MF) and MF per capita, per GDP (indicator for SDG targets 8.4 and 12.2)
  • Domestic material consumption (DMC) and DMC per capita, per GDP (indicator for SDG targets 8.4 and 12.2)
  • Number of countries with sustainable consumption and production (SCP) national action plans or SCP mainstreamed as a priority or target into national policies(indicator for SDG target 12.1)

Ecological limits assessed in terms of sustainable production and consumption

  • Human appropriation of net primary productivity
  • Human appropriation of fresh water (water footprint)
  • Change in water use efficiency over time(indicator for SDG target 6.4)
  • Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources (indicator for SDG target 6.4)
  • Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate (indicator for SDG target 11.3)

Trends in extent to which biodiversity and ecosystem service values are incorporated into organizational accounting and reporting

SDG Targets: Cross check Kenya Approved targets

Goal By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity

Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity

  • Change in water-use efficiency over time
  • Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources
EN

a)    The Kenya Green Economy Assessment Report launched by UNEP in 2014. As provided for in the adopted Green Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan (GESIP) 2016 – 2030 .

b)    GESIP 2016-2030

c)    KNBS statistical abstracts 2019 https://www.knbs.or.ke/?wpdmpro=statistical-abstract-2019

EN
Level of confidence
Based on partial indicator information and expert opinion
Monitoring related to this target is partial (e.g. only covering part of the area or issue)

In order to ensure quality and adequate data on SDGs, Kenya is focusing on strengthening national statistical office, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. The policy priority of the Kenya Government is to strengthen the National Statistical System to support planning, and monitoring and evaluation of government policies and programmes. The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) is therefore, expected to generate official statistics that are comprehensive, reliable, timely and disaggregated up to the sub national level. Towards this end, the Bureau has established offices in each of the 47 counties to coordinate statistical capacity building programmes at the sub national level and ensure that international standards are applied in the production and dissemination of county statistics.

The government is has rolled out National Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation System (NIMES) and fast-tracking implementation of electronic Project Monitoring Information System (e-promis) to provide a non-stop information portal where information is easily and readily available.

At sub national level, tracking progress towards the achievement of the policies, projects and programmes outlined in each CIDP will be undertaken through the County Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation System (CIMES). The ministry of devolution and planning has developed guidelines to provide basic principles for designing a clear CIMES for sub national level monitoring. This multi level monitoring and evaluation system will be used for monitoring the SDGs in the country. For effective monitoring of the SDGs, the National Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation System (NIMES) will be aligned with SDGs and the second National Indicator handbook for monitoring MTP II will be expanded to cover all relevant SDGs indicators. The SDGs indicators will also be integrated in regular surveys. It will also ensure engagement of stakeholders. Emphasis will be paid to building capacity of the national Statistical System to ensure data availability and credibility.

Relevant websites, web links and files (Please use this field to indicate any relevant websites, web links or documents where additional information related to the monitoring system can be found.)

Kenya SDG report

KNBS statistical abstracts

Kenya SDG indicator framework

NIMES

Ministry relevant reports

KNCPC

EN

5. Loss of habitats

2020 - Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
5. Loss of habitats
Category of progress towards the implementation of the selected target
Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
01 Mar 2020
  • Kenya’s watersheds, agricultural, rangelands and settled areas continued to face extensive land degradation.
  • The Land Degradation Assessment (LADA) was carried out in 2015 to assess the causes, extent and types of land degradation in Kenya. In the last 20 years, agricultural/cultivated areas increased by 7.3% and bare lands increased by 2.6%. The lower levels of land degradation in the since 2000 also coincides with the policy change. At least 61% the total area of Kenya is at high risk of land degradation, while very high degradation affects 27% of the land. Land degradation is especially severe in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).
  • The Kenya Strategic Investment Framework (KSIF) for sustainable land management (SLM) 2017-2027 addresses land management issues through effective multi-sectoral, multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaboration.
  • Three of the flagship projects implemented under the Vision 2030 and critical to biodiversity conservation are:
    • Securing wildlife migratory routes and corridors (especially those impacted by human activities) and reclaiming them as a basis for revenue generation in the tourism sector,
    • Land cover and land-use mapping (conducting accurate and continually updated land-use maps, and undertaking both livestock and wildlife censuses); and
    • Water catchment management (rehabilitation of five water towers – the Mau Escarpment, Mt. Kenya, the Aberdare Range, the Cherangani Hills, and Mt. Elgon).
  • Wetlands: Wetlands Conservation and Management Policy 2015 enacted and the Kenya Wetlands Atlas (2012) which maps the country’s wetland resources developed.
  • Mangroves: The National Mangrove Ecosystem Management Plan covers all gazetted mangrove forest reserves in Kenya and is implemented over 10-year period (2017 – 2027).
  • Marine and Coastal Ecosystems: The Integrated Coastal Zone Management Policy, 2015 covers the restoration of the degraded areas and the protection of the resources, the development a legal framework for the purpose of ensuring sustainable conservation and management of the deltas and estuaries; and development of comprehensive research information to aid in the proper conservation and management of said ecosystems
  • Forests: Kenya’s constitution 2010 requires that the country should maintain a minimum of 10% forest cover. Between 1990 and 2010, Kenya lost an average of 12,050 ha or 0.32% per year. In total, between 1990 and 2010, Kenya lost 6.5% of its forest cover, or around 241,000 ha. In its reporting to the UNFCC as part of REDD+, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in 2019 reported a loss of 103,368ha in 2018.  Reforestation efforts have been in place at the rate of 90,477ha per year. Forest and tree cover increased to an estimated 7.24 per cent in 2016 from an estimated 4.4 per cent reported in 2012. The sector increased the state managed forests from 1.2 million hectares to 2.4 million hectares, developed 115 Forest Management plans, facilitated production of 222,124 bamboo seedlings and 800 million tree seedlings and availed these for planting 500,000 hectares on farmlands for livelihood improvement.

Key policy actions include the following:

  • Enactment of Forest Conservation and Management Act 2016, review of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act 2015 and development of the National Forest Programme (2016-2030).
  • Imposition of a moratorium by the Government of Kenya on logging in public and community forests in February 2018.
  • National commitment to restore 5.1 million ha of degraded forest and other landscapes.
  • Review of Charcoal Rules and Regulations (2009), development of Private Forests and Gums &Resins Rules & Regulations.
  • Development of a Strategy to Increase the Country’s Tree Cover to 10%.
  • Development of REDD+ Strategy and Action Plan.

Development of Commercial Forestry Policy to provide alternative source of wood products and increase vegetation cover thus reducing the direct pressure on natural habitats (forest, wetlands, wood lands, shrub lands, among others

EN
Indicators and Activities

       

Forest Assessments:

In the late 1990s, the forest cover of Kenya was reported to be 1.7%. This was based on a forest definition with a minimum canopy cover of 40% used by the United Nations Environment Programme. Later, the forest definition of the FAO with a minimum canopy cover of 10% was largely used, leading to an upward revision of the forest cover to 6.2%. The 1st multi stakeholder comprehensive forest mapping exercise was undertaken in 2010 using big data resulting in 6.9%. Through REDD+ financing, another process was undertaken using revised methodology and technology for the period 2000-2018 and the figure noted as 5.9% in 2019. The Forest cover statistics have varied from 3% to 2.7%, 6.9% and 7.4% and 5.9%. This is a reflection of the lack of long-term monitoring data.

The current forest stands at over 7.4% but it is targeted to be at 10% by 2022. This was established through wall to wall forest resource assessment through a partnership of DRSRS, World Resources Institute and KFS. This is in line with Aichi Targets 5, 7, 8, 10. The current forest land use definition for Kenya based on a multi-stakeholder process and taking into consideration international processes and definition. Plantation such as tea and coffee are excluded. (Source: KFS 2020).

With the new definition adopted by KFS, the forest cover in the country was further revised upwards to 7.4%. The Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016 (FCMA) defines a forest as land which is declared or registered as a forest, or woody vegetation growing in close proximity in an area of over 0.5 of a hectares including a forest in the process of establishment, woodlands, thickets. For Land Use Land Cover Classification, the IPCC Classification has been adopted for Kenya as shown in Figure xx below. The accuracy assessments have been used for checking the correctness of the final forest map. This has been done using Sampling Procedure - Proportionate stratified random and Use of High-resolution images and Aerial photography by DRSRS.

Figure xx: Land Use and Land Cover Mapping System in Kenya (Source: (KFS)

Relevant websites, web links and files (Please use this field to indicate any relevant websites, web links or documents where additional information related to this assessment can be found).

 

EN
Level of confidence
Based on partial indicator information and expert opinion
Monitoring related to this target is partial (e.g. only covering part of the area or issue)


The assessment is based on limited information that is available and
“expert opinion” since no national indicators have been developed.



EN

6. Sustainable fisheries

2020 - On track to achieve target
6. Sustainable fisheries
Category of progress towards the implementation of the selected target
On track to achieve target
01 Mar 2020
  • The sub - sector overall performance in terms of fish production dropped by 21.3 per cent from 163,389 Metric Tonnes (MT) in 2013 to 128,645 MT in 2016.
  • Fish production in the freshwater dropped by 22.5 per cent from 154,253 MT in 2013 to 119,550 MT in 2016.
  • Lake Victoria continued to make the highest contribution of the fresh-water fish production of 82 per cent on average since 2013.
  • The marine fish landed also declined by 0.45 per cent from 9,136 MT in 2013 to 9,095 MT in 2016.
  • Fish production from fish farming declined by 36.4 per cent from 23,501 MT in 2013 to 14,952 MT in 2016.
  • The total value of fish landed during the period under review also declined by 13 per cent from Ksh. 21.281 billion in 2013 to Ksh. 18.517 billion in 2016.
  • The inshore waters, which are fishing grounds for artisanal fishermen, are over-exploited and degraded due to demand created by the increasing population pressure and reliance on the fisheries for both food and incomes. The artisanal fishermen have limited fishing capacities for semi-industrial and industrial fisheries in deep waters.
  • The Government during the MTP II period, the key achievements in the maritime and fisheries sub-sectors included: development of Fisheries Management Plans; Kenya Tuna Fisheries Development and Management Strategy 2013 -2018, enactment of the Fisheries Management and Development Act No. 35 of 2016,  procurement of an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV Doria) for surveillance of deep-sea fishing and two patrol boats one for Lake Victoria and another for Lake Turkana; acquisition of an Offshore Research Vessel (R.V Mtafiti), reflagging of four foreign deep-sea fishing vessels (with the Kenyan flag), and establishment of a Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) Centre in Mombasa and installation of a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS).

Other achievements realized during the period include: restocking of 135 dams, 11 rivers and 3 lakes with a total of 4,881,663 assorted fish fingerlings to increase productivity, mapping and delineation of thirteen (13) critical fish habitats, 5 in Lake Naivasha, 3 in Lake Baringo and 5 in Lake Turkana to protect the breeding areas and thus increase in-situ stock recruitment

EN
Indicators and Activities

CBD indicators;

  • Trends in fishing practices
    • Coverage of fisheries with management measures to effectively manage bycatch and reduce discards
    • Number and coverage of stocks with adaptive management systems / plans
    • by countries in the degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (indicator for SDG target 14.6)
    • Amount (spatial extent, gear type, intensity) of fishing effort within vulnerable habitats
    • Number of countries with ecosystem impact monitoring and/or assessment programmes
    • Number of countries with legislation allowing for actions for the protection of vulnerable habitats (including VMEs), and addressing threats to ecosystem structure and function
  • Trends in proportion of fish stocks outside safe biological limits
    • Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels (indicator for SDG target 14.4)
  • Trends in catch per unit effort
    • Estimated fisheries catch and fishing effort
    • Progress by countries in the degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small-scale fisheries (indicator for SDG target 14.b)
  • Trends in certified sustainable fisheries
  • Trends in proportion of depleted, target and bycatch species with recovery plans

Trends in population and extinction risk in target and bycatch species

or Trends in extent of selected biomes, ecosystems and habitats
Trends in abundance and distribution of selected species (we need a graph task fisheries and kemfri to provide )  some data on aquaculture and mariculture

  • Trends in extent of selected biomes, ecosystems and habitats
  • Trends in abundance and distribution of selected species
  • Coverage of protected areas
  • Change in status of threatened species

Trends in genetic diversity

EN

The methods included but were not limited to Catch Assessment (CA)

  • Frame Surveys (FS) that deal with the harvests and means of harvesting respectively;
  • Hydro-acoustics, Trawl Surveys (SA), Biological and Environmental surveys that examines the status of the fish stocks, their biology and interactions among themselves and with the environment.

Stock Assessment synthesizes all the generated information and provides a common understanding on the status of the stocks, fisheries and environment of the lake. Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO)

EN
Level of confidence
Based on partial indicator information and expert opinion

There is no national target. Under the Blue Economy Sector Plan, key programmes are under development, hence:

EN
Monitoring related to this target is partial (e.g. only covering part of the area or issue)

Target 6 is monitored by regular scientific surveys supported mainly  for inland fisheries. Evidence and information is available in the national economic survey undertaken by the annual Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) National economic surveys. Regular monitoring of fish stocks. and provision of scientific data that is published in as Annual Fisheries Bulletin reports from State Department of Fisheries indicating the fish production from Aquaculture.

The status of our fishery in published Synthesis report from, Hydro-acoustic, Stock assessment (SA), Catch Assessment Surveys (CAS) and Frame Surveys(FS) as well as Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis of the large marine ecosystems of western Indian Ocean

EN

7. Areas under sustainable management

2020 - Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
7. Areas under sustainable management
Category of progress towards the implementation of the selected target
Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
01 Mar 2020
  • According to the baseline analysis of NCCAP 2013- 2017 and SNC the LULUCF sector is the second largest contributor to Kenya’s GHG emissions after agriculture, accounting for 32.5% of emissions in 2015, largely as a result of deforestation through clearing of forested lands for agriculture; wood harvesting, for fuelwood, charcoal and other wood products; and urban development or settlement.
  • The Key Policy actions include the National Strategy to achieve the 10% tree cover target, The Green Economy Strategy (GESIP),  National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) 2013-2017 and 2018-2022, MTP II and MTP III sector Plans,  and various Acts, Policies and Plans for Water for Water, Agriculture and Environment respectively.
  • GESIP provide the policy push under Thematic area 3 on Sustainable Natural Resource Management which encompasses agriculture, forestry, water, wildlife, land use and extractive industries.
  • In order to address the degradation and loss of natural resources, the tools under this thematic area include spatial planning and targeted periodic valuation of natural capital, payment for ecosystem services and environmental accounting.
  • The Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016 (Section 42) indicates that indigenous forests and woodlands are to be managed on a sustainable basis for, inter alia, carbon sequestration. Section 8 indicates that KFS is to manage water catchment areas in relation to soil and water conservation, carbon sequestration, and other environmental services; and Section 21 notes that County Governments are to promote afforestation activities.
  • The National Forest Programme 2016-2030 defines the national forest framework which is premised on sustainable forest management.  The overall goal: “To develop and sustainably manage, conserve, restore and utilize forests and allied resources for socio-economic growth and climate resilience.” The first strategic objectives is to increase tree cover and reverse forest degradation through sustainable forest management.
  • Forests: The Forest Conservation and Management Act (FCMA 2016) provides for the development and sustainable management including conservation and rational utilization of all forest resources.
  • The country banned logging in government forests and also embarked on ambitious tree planting activities, restoration of gazetted forests and water towers, and promotion of efficient/alternative energy sources and technologies to relieve pressure on forests.
  • Other priorities include:
    • Standards and regulations, including social and environmental safeguards, for sustainable forestry management (voluntary moving to regulated), developed.
    • Guidelines and standards for establishment of green zones, as required by the Forest Act 2016, developed, which requires linkage with County physical planning and development control function.
    • A sustainable charcoal system promoted by encouraging the uptake of efficient kiln technologies to increase yields to 30-42% and, the establishment of a charcoal certification and eco labelling.
  • Agriculture: The Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Strategy 2017-2026, elaborates efforts mainstream sustainable natural resource management into production systems to minimize emissions in agricultural production systems and enhance resilience of agriculture systems to climate change impacts. This involves promotion of agroforestry/farm forestry and adoption of practices that encourage inclusion of trees in the farming systems e.g. conservation agriculture with trees for reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.
  • The Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP) focuses on improving water/soil management, especially within smallholder maize systems in the marginal rainfall zones. These efforts have immensely contributed to increasing the area under sustainable agricultural practices.   Area under organic farming has increased from 78,438 Hectares in 2009 to 150,479 hectares in 2019.
  • Aquaculture: has grown rapidly in Kenya over the last one decade and plays an increasingly important role in national fish supply. Kenya is actually ranked the fourth major producer of aquaculture in Africa with production from aquaculture systems recording a growth from 4,218 metric tonnes (MT) in 2006 to peak at 24,096 MT in 2014, representing 15% of total national fish production.
  • Commercial intensive culture of Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) in cages in Lake Victoria has grown significantly in the last five years with a production of 12 million kg of fish every cycle (about 8months). Recirculation aquaculture system (RAS) is also gaining popularity mainly in intensive hatcheries. The freshwater cages have been marred by increasing frequencies of fish kills with obvious financial and environmental implications.
EN
Indicators and Activities
  • Areas of agricultural land under organic production
  • Progress towards sustainable forest management
  • Areas of agricultural land under conservation agriculture

Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture

EN

The approach has been mainly through desk studies involving review of various local, national and international reports and publications. It was also partly informed by expert opinions and stakeholder inputs

EN
Level of confidence
Based on partial indicator information and expert opinion

The assessment is dependent on exiting literature particularly reports based on actual field assessments. Most of the material are produced by respected authorities. However, some of the literature are not current and therefore do not reflect the current status of the indicators as they currently are. By referring to secondary data, the systematic and methodology related errors in the source documents are probably transferred to this assessment.

Indicators for the target includes; agricultural and aquaculture ecosystems under sustainable management; the proportion of products derived from sustainable sources; and trends in genetic diversity of domesticated animals, cultivated plants and fish species of major socioeconomic importance

EN
Monitoring related to this target is partial (e.g. only covering part of the area or issue)

Except for forest sector, the other thematic areas for biodiversity conservation have no clear monitoring system for target 7. Progress is mainly assessed and reviewed using data from studies and assessments by multiple actors at local, national and international levels.

EN

8. Pollution

2020 - On track to achieve target
8. Pollution
Category of progress towards the implementation of the selected target
On track to achieve target
02 Mar 2020
  • Article 43 of the Constitution, 2010 gives every person the right to clean and safe water in adequate quantities and reasonable standards of sanitation. Provision of these rights is a shared responsibility between the National and County Governments.
  • There are various Policies and Acts that aim at regulating or reducing a pollution and bringing it to levels that are not detrimental to ecosystem function and biodiversity. These include EMCA ACT 2015, Agriculture Act 2013, Polluter pays principle, Water Act 2016, Fisheries Management and Development Act, 2016 (No. 35 of 2016), Wetlands policy 2013, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Act, 2013 (No. 17 of 2013), Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Authority Act, 2013 (No. 13 of 2013), Kenya 10% tree cover strategy, Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016 (No. 34 of 2016) and Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013 (No. 47 of 2013).
  • Under Vision 2030, the following were achieved:
  • National Solid Waste Management Strategy in 2015 developed.
  • Action plans on waste management and pollution levels for Mombasa, Thika, Nakuru, Eldoret and Kisumu established.
  • Plastic Bags Initiative vide Gazette notice No. 2334 of March 2017 implemented
  • Municipal and Industrial effluent standards within the Lake Victoria Basin harmonized.
  • Sewerage treatment plants in Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Bomet Towns constructed.
  • System to monitor Nutrient and Sediment Losses from Land Use and Covers in the Nyando Basin developed.
  • Urban rivers in Kenya remain highly polluted from dumping of solid and liquid waste including toxic chemicals.
  • Air pollution: Laws related to air pollution include Environmental Policy , 2013, Air Quality Regulations, 2014 , Kenya Standards Act, Cap 496, Kenya Standard(KS 1515): Code of Practice on Inspection of  Occupational Health and Safety Act, 2007, Public Health Act, cap 242, National Transport and Safety Act, 2012 and Energy Act, 2006
  • Water Pollution: LVEMP is a regional project under EAC implemented in phases by partner states and coordinated by the LVBC. It seeks to improve environmental management of targeted pollution hotspots and selected degraded sub-catchments for the benefit of communities that depend on the natural resources of the Lake Victoria Basin. LVEMP I and II are complete whereas preparations for LVEMP III are on-going.
  • Plastics: The Kenyan government banned “the use, manufacture and importation of all plastic bags used for commercial and household packaging” in February 2017.
  • Marine: Different organizations both government (Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute) and Non-governmental organizations (Watamu Marine Association) are working on marine debris projects aimed at understanding the sources and effects of marine litter, the effects of policies and other actions and enhancing public awareness on marine litter pollution on the coastal area.
  • Soils/Land: It is estimated that one-sixth of total arable land in Kenya has been polluted by contaminants. Kenya's demand for agrochemicals has been increasing as the result of a rapid expansion of the agricultural sector. The Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) reports the number of registered and banned pesticides in Kenya based on the international conventions signed by the Kenyan Government. At least 400 tonnes of pesticides and fertilizers are released every year to the environment from farming activities. These include Agricultural activities (use of organic fertilizers) and Flower Farm and Influx of municipal effluents.
EN
Indicators and Activities

Developing specific interventions to monitor and combat the impacts of pollution, with the main focus on the progress

  • Water quality assessment – sediment loads, nitrates, phosphorous, dissolved oxygen and pH/effluents
  • Monitoring /sediment/nutrient loads in rivers and lakes/oceans
  • Mapping areas (Oceans), Socio-economic survey
  • Extension – better farming system- climate smart agriculture, forestry
  • Reforestation efforts Conservation area
  • Integrated pest management (IPM)
EN
Level of confidence
Based on partial indicator information and expert opinion
Monitoring related to this target is partial (e.g. only covering part of the area or issue)

In some areas NEMA has been mornitoring the level of pollution



EN

9. Invasive Alien Species

2020 - Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
9. Invasive Alien Species
Category of progress towards the implementation of the selected target
Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
01 Mar 2020
  • Kenya has developed and enacted several policy and legal instruments related to prevention and control of invasive alien species. These include: National Environment Policy 2013 (Pg. 36), National Strategy and Action Plan for the Management of Invasive Species in Kenya, The Plan Health Protection Act Cap 324, Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Authority Act. No. 13 of 2013, Environmental Management and Coordination Act 1999 (amendment 2015), Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2013, and Forest Conservation and Management Act 2016, and Fisheries Management and Development Act 2016. Further, NEMA has prepared guidelines on Prevention of Invasive Alien Species; Early Detection, Rapid Response and Eradication; Control and Control strategies
  • The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (WCMA, 2013). The seventh schedule on invasive species lists 1 mammal, 7 reptiles and amphibians, 17 birds, 10 plants and 1 invertebrate. Not listed in the schedule is the now fast spreading noxious weed Parthenium hysterophorus that has been documented to threaten biodiversity because of its aggressive dominance. Also missing is the top-level predator Nile Perch (Lates niloticus) which has caused extinction or near extinction of several hundreds of native fish species in Lake Victoria. It was introduced in the lake in the late 1950’
  • A total of 97 invasive species are documented for Kenya on the Global Invasive Species Database. Further CABI has documented the invasive alien species in Kenya and the East African region, with database and descriptions available on the GBIF website as well as Publication of the Guide to the naturalized and invasive plants of Eastern Africa.
  • Prevention and detection: The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) ensures that the introduction of plant pests, diseases and noxious weed into Kenya is prevented or delayed. All phytosanitary measures are based on international standards as in International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) regulations and guidelines. The Plant Protection Act (CAP 324), the suppression of Noxious weeks (Cap 325) and the Agricultural produce (Export) Act (Cap 319) provide the legal framework through which the authority carries out phytosanitary regulation service.

: Key players include the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Ministry of Agriculture, Kenya Wildlife Service and the National Museums of Kenya. Kenya Wildlife Services have also identified invasive alien species in protected areas and developed a strategy on IAS management and control. CABI working with key stakeholders have developed a guide to the naturalized and invasive species of Laikipia. There have been various projects especially on point source pollution and eradication of the water hyacinth in Lake Victoria through the three phases of the Lake Victoria Environment Management Programme (LVEMP) among others

EN
Indicators and Activities
  • Trends in identification and prioritization of invasive alien species
  • Trends in the distribution and populations of invasive alien species
  • Trends in eradication of priority invasive alien species
  • Trends in extinction risk and populations driven by invasive alien species impact
  • Trends in impacts of invasive alien species on ecosystems
  • Trends in the numbers of invasive alien species introduction and establishment event

Trends in implementation of policy responses preventing the introduction and establishment of invasive alien species

EN
Level of confidence
Based on partial indicator information and expert opinion
Monitoring related to this target is partial (e.g. only covering part of the area or issue)

10. Vulnerable ecosystems

2020 - Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
10. Vulnerable ecosystems
Category of progress towards the implementation of the selected target
Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
01 Mar 2020
  • A survey in 2012 showed 239 species in southern reefs, 203 in Lamu and 177 in Kiunga in the north.
  • Long-term monitoring has been pursued by Kenyan institutions since 1998/99, to follow the trends and status of corals and fish populations at a country level.
  • Kenya has a wide variety of national coastal and marine environmental legislation. These includes the Fisheries Act has recently been updated (2016), EMCA Act 2015, Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Authority Act, 2013 (No. 13 of 2013), Water Act 2016, Fisheries Management and Development Act, 2016 (No. 35 of 2016), Wetlands Policy 2013, Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016 (No. 34 of 2016 and Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013 (No. 47 of 2013).
  • Kenyan coral reefs have an average hard coral cover of 18%, with fleshy algae at 34%, across a range of healthy and degraded reefs. Fully protected reef lagoons have higher hard coral cover (15-40%), focal fish species abundance (>100 indiv./ha ) and less algal cover (40%), and high coral rubble cover (>10%).
  • A number of policy processes have also been undertaken to improve protection of coral reefs and associated ecosystems. A National Coral Reef Task Force was developed in 2009 under the Regional Coral Reef Task Force (CRTF) of the Nairobi Convention. A Coral Reef and Seagrass Ecosystems Conservation Strategy Plan (2014) was launched for 2015-2019. To reduce the fragmentation among different institutions and their mandates that affect coral reefs, the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Action Plan and Coral Reef and Seagrass Strategy provide ways to bridge the gaps.
  • Historically, management of coral reefs in Kenya has been the domain of central government, with a network of 4 marine parks (fully protected) and 6 marine reserves (partially protected, allowing traditional fishing) under the management of Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). In recent years, coastal fishing communities have embraced the concept of community-based conservation and established 12 demarcated CCAs (the local term for Locally Managed Marine Areas, LMMAs), to enhance sustainable fisheries and other livelihood options such as eco-tourism.
  • Key interventions include:
  • Project on adaptive management of coral reef in 5 MPAs through a project funded by the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA), Marine for Science Management Program (MASMA).
  • Implementation of the National Coral Reef and Sea Grass Ecosystem Conservation and Management Strategy (2014 –2018) supported by the Kenya Coast Development Project (KCDP).
  • Development of Management plans 3 coral reef MPA These include: Kisite/Mpunguti, Malindi and Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plans (2015 -2025). Kenya Wildlife Service will be responsible for implementing these plans.
  • Development of the National Mangrove Ecosystem Management Plan also supported by the KCDP project. This is a 10-year management plan spanning from 2017 –2027 period; and with an estimated implementation budget of KES 3.8 billion.

  • In 1998, reefs along the entire coast of Kenya suffered widespread bleaching and mortality of corals that reduced hard coral cover to almost 8%. Recovery of Kenya reefs from the 1998 coral bleaching event was slow, with cover remaining at 8-10% from 1999 to 2003, following which cover increased slowly to today’s level.
  • The National Coral Reef Restoration Protocol (NCRRP) is expected to provide information on replacing dead coral reefs and adversely affected fish breeding grounds along the coastline.

Kenya Coral Reef and Sea Grass Ecosystems Conservation Strategy 2015-2019 also targets the coral and associated ecosystems recovery

EN
Indicators and Activities

a)    Water quality trends

a.    Sediment loads

b.    pH

c.    Acidification

d.    Algal blooms

b)    Trends on coral deaths

c)    Diversity of corals

d)    Destructive fishing trends

e)    Extent of bleaching episodes

Trends in coral reef recovery

EN
  • Coral reef monitoring
  • Sea grass monitoring
  • Socio-economic surveys

CPUE

EN
Level of confidence
Based on partial indicator information and expert opinion
Monitoring related to this target is partial (e.g. only covering part of the area or issue)

Coral Reef Monitoring

Methods used

  • Belt transect for fish density and sizes.
  • Point intercept transect for coral and other substrate cover.
  • Belt transect for macro-invertebrate density.
  • Monitoring of reefs in northern parts of Kenya (in the Kiunga Marine Reserve) and in a few fore reef sites in both northern and southern parts of Kenya has been established more recently.
  • Transect surveys of deeper reef sites in the Malindi and Watamu areas are based on sites established between 1995 and 2005.
  • Kenya’s network of Marine Protected Areas has also offered a large-scale experiment for studies of the effects of protection on reef ecology and has been the focus of over 15 years of coral reef monitoring and analysis of a variety of threats (Coral Reef Conservation Project).
  • within protected areas (Malindi Marine National Park, Watamu Marine National Park,
  • Mombasa Marine National Park,
  •  Kisite Marine National Park)
  • Unprotected reefs in Vipingo and Diani Marine National Reserve.

Partners involved in monitoring include:

  • Kenya Wildlife Service
  • Wildlife Conservation Society
  • Coastal Oceans Research & Development (CORDIO) East Africa
  • Global Vision International (GVI) Kenya

Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute

EN

11. Protected areas

2020 - Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
11. Protected areas
Category of progress towards the implementation of the selected target
Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
01 Mar 2020
  • Kenya has officially protected over 8% of its terrestrial and marine ecosystems with a network of National Parks, National Reserves, Forest Reserves, and Sanctuaries. This is complemented by a further 160 Conservancies, ensuring an additional 11% of Kenya is actively managed for wildlife conservation. These Conservancies are estimated to contain as much as 60% of Kenya’s large mammals and protect a diverse array of habitats and other species
  • Presently, Kenya has 24 terrestrial National Parks which occupy an area of 29,504Km2 that is approximately 5.08% of the total area of Kenya. There are 31 terrestrial National Reserves in Kenya occupying 17,358.8km2 which is 3% of the country’s total area. Most of the National reserves are managed by county governments with technical advice from KWS.
  • Kenya has 257 sites categorized as natural forests which harbor a variety of wildlife species and are also water towers or water catchment areas. These natural forests fall under 4 key management regimes namely; community forests (52 sites covering 180, 245 ha), forest reserves (201 sites covering 2,045, 406 ha), national monuments (3 sites covering 401 ha) and trust land (1 site covering 188,2017ha) with a total area of 24,142.59km2 which is 4.2% of Kenya’s total area. Marsabit forest ecosystem management plan 2015-2025 is under legal notice No. 1894 of March 2016.
  • There are 5 National Sanctuaries in Kenya located in Nakuru, Samburu, Kisumu and Homa bay counties. They cover12.47km2 of the country.
  • There are over 160 conservancies covering over 63,600Km2 representing 11% of the country’s area. Of these, 4 are Marine, 76 are community, 58 are private, and 26 are group while 60 are listed under World Database Protected Area (WDPA). They mostly operate as Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Trusts or private companies.
  • The Protected Areas include the Amboseli and Mt. Kenya are designated by UNESCO as Man and Biosphere Reserves (MAB); Tsavo East and West and Central Island are equally designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites; while Aberdares, Mt. Kenya, Chyulu and Mt. Elgon are National Water towers. 
  • The Sibiloi PA hosts Koobi Fora which is regarded as the cradle of Mankind.
  •  Kenya has Ramsar Sites of which include Lake Nakuru designated as a Park, Lake Bogoria is a Reserve while the other 4 (Tana River Delta, Lake Elementaita, Lake Baringo and Lake Naivasha) do not enjoy other protection status.
  • All the parks are required by law to have management plan that are gazetted.
  • Ngai Ndethya National Reserve and the 6km2 Arabuko Sokoke National Park which in their true sense are now Paper Parks, also at risk are Losai, Rahole, Arawale and South Kitui.  South Kitui is presently the Reserve with the highest number of charcoal kilns while Losai has several villages established inside it. Malka Mari is slowly being settled while its wildlife is being threatened by livestock incursion.
  • The Wildlife Conservation Management Act of 2013 (WCMA, 2013) provide for the protection, conservation, sustainable use and management of wildlife in Kenya and for connected purposes. The Act requires the Ministry to prepare and present to Parliament a Wildlife Status report which gives the status of: all National Parks and Reserves; Conservancies and Sanctuaries; community wildlife scouts in Conservancies; Management Plans; all listed species in Schedule 6 and 7 and their recovery status.
  • Presently only three protected areas in the country have management plans that are gazette, Amboseli, Mpunguti (Kisite-Mpunguti) and Marsabit have gazette management plans. The rest are at various stages of development. In addition, all of them have legal notices of their gazettement while a number of them have title deeds.
  • There are five marine protected areas covering total area 1,139 Km² managed by Kenya Wildlife Service.
  • Malindi and Watamu were grouped together and both are internationally recognized by UNESCO as Man and Biosphere Reserves.
  • Kenya is also signatory to several international conventions and protocols that advocate the implementations of MPAs as a tool for biodiversity conservation and regulation of fisheries.
  • The PA network is not fully representative to protect biodiversity as shown by the cover of the Important Bird Areas and Key Biodiversity Areas.
  • The National Wildlife Strategy 2030 developed in June 2018 Icreates an enabling environment under pillar one to build resilience for species conservation in the protected areas.

integrates biological diversity in addressing threats to forest conservation. It strengthens local community involvement in co-management of forest resources as a follow up to forest Act 2016

EN
Indicators and Activities

      Trends in area of particular importance for ecosystem services conserved

      Trends in ecological representativeness of area conserved

      Trends in connectivity and integration of conserved areas

Trends in area of particular importance for biodiversity conserved

EN
  • Stakeholder consultations
  • Desk studies

Case studies 

EN
Level of confidence
Based on partial indicator information and expert opinion

There are various institutions established to provide data and evidence based on the indicators provided and also publications which give status on the implementation status of various measures. Some of the institutions established include:

  • Kenya Wildlife Service
  • National Museums of Kenya
  • Kenya Forest Service
  • Nature Kenya

The following websites will help to find more evidence to address the same;

  • (http://naturekenya.org/publications/
EN
Monitoring related to this target is partial (e.g. only covering part of the area or issue)

12. Preventing extinctions

2020 - Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
12. Preventing extinctions
Category of progress towards the implementation of the selected target
Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
01 Mar 2020
  • Kenya has documented 4,623 plant species within 1,387 genera, 766 species of bryophytes, 511 ferns and 2,071 species of fungi and lichens. There are 393 mammal species, 260 reptile species (Snakes, lizards, geckos, skinks, chameleons, tortoise, turtles, terrapins, crocodile) and amphibians (toads, frogs, salamanders) species. Further, 1,105 bird species, of 769 Fish (362 fresh water), of which 5 are likely to be extinct as well as 168 arthropods and arachnids. The 2017 IUCN list of threatened species showed that Kenya had 463 plant and animal species which were threatened. These include 30 mammal, 43 bird, 73 fish and 234 plant species.
  • The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (WCMA, 2013) in schedule 6 lists 245 wildlife species under various categories of threats ranging from critically endangered to protected species. The Act requires that the status of these species be reported to the National Assembly every 2years and the recovery measures being implemented to restore the said species be indicated. Focus is given to the conservation status of endangered listed species, their habitats and factors that influence their population trends. Whereas the listed number of species in schedule 6 is 245, only 31 species recovery plans have been developed out of which 13 have since expired
  • The National Wildlife Conservation Status Report 2015-2017 provides an overview of the status and trends of wildlife species in Kenya, the current population and its viability, population trends, breeding success rates, threats, and management interventions undertaken
  • Recovery Plans: Section 49 (4) WCMA, 2013 requires KWS to develop and implement recovery plans for all nationally listed species and on the status of all species for which such plans have been developed.
  • KWS in collaboration with relevant stakeholders has developed and is championing implementation of 19 species specific recovery plans, including for Black Rhino, Elephants, Cheetah and Wild Dogs, Lion and Hyena, Grevy’s Zebra, Sea Turtles, sable antelopes, giraffes, Eastern Mountain Bongos, Roan Antelope, Sitatunga, Hirola antelopes. Others include for Sagalla Caecilian, Critically Endangered birds in Taita Hills (Taita Thrush, Taita Apalis), Spotted Ground Thrush (Zoothera guttata), Bird, Coral reefs and sea grasses ecosystems, and Aloe, for invasive species, and for bioprospecting. With Partners, others included for Blue Swallow, Lesser Flamingo, Madagascar Pond Heron, Maccoa Duck, Grey Crowned Crane and Lappet-faced Vulture. These are available from the KWS website.
  • Due to limited human resource and technical capacity on some specific areas, there is inadequate information on some of the listed species thus their population status is listed as data deficient.
  • Remnant population of some of the listed species are non-viable e.g. the Roan antelope and the bearded vulture. The management through the Government has requested for two herds of roan antelopes and a pair bearded vulture from the People Republic of Tanzania and Ethiopia respectively thus require follow up.
  • The Government submitted twenty (20) proposals at COP 18 in Geneva, Switzerland, 2019, 19 of which successfully went through. COP 18 Proposal thirty-seven (37) was a proposal to transfer Pancake Tortoise from Appendix II to Appendix I to prohibit trade in specimens of Pancake Tortoise collected from the wild and control illegal trade in specimens of other species. Nearly all proposals to COP 18 on reptiles and amphibians including Kenya’s proposal on Pancake Tortoise were adopted.

Kenya’s proposals forty-four (44) and forty-five (45) for inclusion of White-Spotted Wedge Fish and Teat Fish, respectively, to regulate trade through CITES permits and certificates were approved. Proposal 5 to include Giraffe in Appendix II was accepted overwhelmingly.

EN
Level of confidence
Based on partial indicator information and expert opinion

Inadequate population trends data for species conservation assessments. Usually museums collections used to map species distribution maps to determine areas of extent/occupancy, where as some populations may be lost following recent accelerated habitat loss and degradation. It is the same reason that few species are evaluated on basis of species biology because population behaviour and trends or recruitment/regeneration is mainly unknown for majority of species.

Also, species conservation and population re-assessments is biased towards the large mammals and species on trade/CITES.

EN
Monitoring related to this target is partial (e.g. only covering part of the area or issue)

Population status and trends for most of the species under CITES monitored annually or biannual through KWS specialist teams. Also community/private conservancies assisted by international partners including WWF to monitor wildlife populations to protect from poaching and natural effects like disease pandemics and droughts.

In addition, birds populations monitored frequently especially in important wetlands e.g. Ramsar sites through KWS, NMK, Nature Kenya and Birdlife International logistical/technological and financial support.

Relevant websites, web links and files (Please use this field to indicate any relevant websites, web links or documents where additional information related to the monitoring system can be found.)

https://www.nation.co.ke/nationprime/illegal-sandalwood-trade-kenya/5279428-5490592-neavs8z/index.html

 threatened biodiversity due to pollutants and policy implementation conflicting. E.g. below ground biodiversity loss largely due to fertilizers, herbicides, etc

2018 Kenya Key Biodiversity Areas Status and Trends Report (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GAbE-eo3DmrIO20b3kcIvyzeDsBkp3UZ/view

EN

13. Agricultural biodiversity

2020 - Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
13. Agricultural biodiversity
Category of progress towards the implementation of the selected target
Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
01 Mar 2020
  • Some relevant policy and legal frameworks for GR in Kenya  include the Environment Management and Coordination Act (EMCA, 2015); Industrial Properties Act Cap 509 (2001); the Forestry Act (2005); the National Biosafety Act (2009); the Land Act (No. 2 of 2012); Seeds and Plant (Amendment) Act 2012; Crops Act No. 16 of 2013; Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (No. 47 of 2013); the Science, Technology and Innovations Act (2013); Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Act No. 17 of 2013; the National Biotechnology Development Policy (2006); Kenya National Seed Policy (2010); Natural Resources Bill (2014) and Kenya’s Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Expressions Act of 2016.
  • Under the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research (KALR) Act 2013, the Genetic Resources Research Institute (GERRI) was established with the responsibility for the conservation of all components of genetic diversity. GERRI developed National Strategy on Genetic Resources Within the context of Climate Change 2016 – 2020 as a response to the second Global Plan of Action (GPA) for GRFA, and the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP).
  • GeRRI, is the only long-term ex situ conservation facility in the country which currently holds a repository of about 50,000 plant accessions representing 165 families, 893 genera and 2,000 species. These materials have been assembled through both in-country collecting expeditions and donations from within and outside Kenya. Out of the 2,000 species conserved at the GeRRI gene bank, only 144 have been characterized, none of which has been comprehensively evaluated for biotic and abiotic stresses.
  • Only 4,000 accessions out of the more than 50,000 conserved at the GeRRI gene bank have been distributed for utilization in the last 15 years, of which a total of 3,189 accessions have been distributed over the last 5 years.
  • GeRRI in partnership with the National Museums of Kenya, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew of the United Kingdom, and Kenya Forestry Research Institute, working under the auspices of the Seeds for Life Project, have recently described some more than 10 plant species that are new to science, collected and banked close to 1,000 plant species that are new to ex situ conservation in Kenya.

The Biodiversity for Nutrition (BFN) Project worked closely with stakeholders from Busia County in Western Kenya to develop a Biodiversity Conservation Policy that takes into account the importance of conserving nutrient-rich traditional foods such as cowpea leaves (Vigna unguiculata), amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), slender leaf (Crotalaria brevidens) and spider plant (Cleome gynandra) to increase diet quality and access to key micronutrients, particularly for mothers and children The project also sought to provide scientific evidence and raise awareness on the role of local agrobiodiversity on food security and nutrition and enhance household livelihoods and promote utilization of local agrobiodiversity by linking farmers to markets.

EN
Level of confidence
Based on partial indicator information and expert opinion
Monitoring related to this target is partial (e.g. only covering part of the area or issue)
  • Materials in genebank are periodically monitored for viability through germination testing. The Genetic Resources Research Institute of the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization is the institution mandated to undertake seed viability monitoring of the genetic resources conserved at the Genebank. The institute maintains a database that holds information regarding the conserved genetic resources. This information includes: passport data, characterization data, germplasm evaluation data, seed viability data as well as storage location data
  • Animal Conservation Farms are monitored through Annual National Reports and Livestock returns. The institution mandated to monitor this component of Genetic Resources is the State Department of Livestock. (Details to be provided by the State Department of Livestock
EN

14. Essential ecosystem services

2020 - Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
14. Essential ecosystem services
Category of progress towards the implementation of the selected target
Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
01 Mar 2020
  • Kenya has strengthened environmental governance to support ecosystem conservation and restoration, including through the Environmental Management and Coordination Act 2015, Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2013, Forest Conservation and Management Act 2016, Natural Resources Act 2016, Water Act 2016, Climate Change Act 2016, and Fisheries Management and Development Act 2016.
  • In Kenya, a key approach to ecosystem management is through the concept of basins-based planning practiced since early 1970s through establishment of Regional Development Authorities (RDAs).
  • Kenya Water Towers Agency (KWTA) is mandated to coordinate and oversee the protection, rehabilitation, conservation and sustainable management of all the critical water towers in Kenya
  • The rehabilitation and protection of Kenya’s five (5) major water towers namely; the Aberdares, Cherangany, Mau, Mt. Kenya and Mt. Elgon and other smaller significant Water Towers and catchment areas such as Chyulu Hills, Nyambene, Ngong Hills, Taita Hills, Maragoli, Marsabit, Shimba Hills, Ndotos, Nyiru, Hills in Machakos, Makueni and Kitui, Leroghi, Matthews Range and Dunes in Lamu and Northern Kenya has been undertaken in this period.
  • Under Vision 2030, the major achievements included:
  • rehabilitation, protection and securing of 121,000 Ha in Enoosupukia (12,000 Ha), South.West Mau (19,000 Ha), Maasai Mau (64,000 Ha) and Olpusimuru (26,000 Ha) through Joint Enforcement Unit providing basis for natural regeneration,
  • assessment of 18 water towers and developed water towers ecological health status reports,
  •  Identified critical catchment, wetlands and Biodiversity Hotspots in Mt. Kenya, Mau Complex, Mt. Elgon, Shimba Hills and Chyulu water towers,
  • Community Development Action Plans for Lerroghi, Shimba Hills & Chyulu,
  • Mau Ecosystem Strategic Management Plan,
  • Micro-Catchment Conservation Plan for Taita Hills,
  • Voluntary surrender of 1,250 Ha in Mau complex, and the
  • Establishment of the Water Towers Conservation Fund.
  • Nature Kenya has championed the use of the Toolkit for Ecosystem Services Site-based Assessment in Kenya in Kenya, which gives guidance in measuring ecosystem services provided by a habitat. So far Ecosystem Services Assessment has been carried out in Kakamega Forest, Yala wetland complex, Taita Hills forests, Dakatcha Woodland and Arabuko Sokoke Forest IBAs.
  • Other Vision 2030 Programmes under the Environment, Water and Sanitation Sector include:
  • Water Resources Management: Under MTP II, six (6) catchment management strategies were reviewed, and 157 Sub Catchment Management Plans developed. The sector developed and consolidated water allocation plans for three (3) basins namely Athi, Lake Victoria and Ewaso Ng’iro North.
  • Trans boundary Waters: The locations of trans-boundary surface waters and their status were established and three bilateral frameworks developed, negotiated and finalized for the management of transboundary water resources of Sio-Malaba-Malakisi River, Mara River and lakes Challa-Jibe and Umba River.

Community based natural resource management initiatives in Kenya (CBNRM) seek to empower communities to enable them share in the rights and responsibilities of management and utilization of natural resources with government.

EN
Level of confidence
Based on partial indicator information and expert opinion
Monitoring related to this target is partial (e.g. only covering part of the area or issue)
  • Inadequate Capacities to prepare and implement land use Plans
  • Human Resource
  • supportive infrastructure to facilitate planning activities
  •  Low levels of prioritization of land use planning
  • Very low budgetary allocation for planning
  •  Low consideration for hiring of planners
  • Requisite legislative instruments (e.g. regulations not formulated)
EN

15. Ecosystem resilience

2020 - On track to achieve target
15. Ecosystem resilience
Category of progress towards the implementation of the selected target
On track to achieve target
01 Mar 2020
  • The Government through Executive Order No. 1 of 2018 expanded the mandate of the State Department for Irrigation to include the function of Land Reclamation to reverse Land Degradation and ensure Land Degradation Neutrality.
  • In November 2018, the Government committed 5.1 Million Hectares of land under afforestation to reclaim degraded forested land under the Pan African Action Agenda on Eco-system restoration.
  • The Government developed the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Targets Report following the twelfth session of the UNCCD conference of parties (COP), held in Ankara, Turkey in October 2015, where parties agreed to move towards neutrality.
  • In NCCAP 2013-2017noted that the forestry sector would be the second highest emitter of GHGs after the agriculture sector. To mitigate climate change in the forestry sector, the following three actions were proposed in both NCCAP 2013-2017 and SNC: Restoration of forests in degraded lands; Rehabilitation of degraded forests; and Reduction of deforestation and forest degradation. In the NDC Sectoral Analysis Report 2017, it was determined that relative to the proportionate mitigation reduction target for the sector of 20.1 MtCO2e by 2030, the sector’s mitigation potential was between 11.3 and 20.1 MtCO2e per year, with a technical maximum potential of 40.2 MtCO2e per year by 2030
  • Kenya has also developed the following:
  • Strategy to Increase the Country’s Tree Cover to 10%: efforts towards achieving the national 10% forest cover include integrated land use planning; provide the forest sector with strong instruments for implementing sustainable management and conservation efforts; devolving and mainstreaming forestry functions into county government planning; and engaging communities and stakeholders in the sustainable management of public forests.
  • National Mangrove Strategy and Action Plan to increase the spatial distribution of the species along the coastal line.
  • the REDD+ Strategy and Action Plan.
  • National estimation of the carbon emission (SLEEK) thus efficient monitoring of carbon production, biomass levels, and energy production sources; monitoring of interactions between human and genetic resources such as community conservancies, settlements along forest lines and other ecosystems e.g. wetlands.
  • Climate Change policy and legislation and a Green Growth Strategy (2016):
  • Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Strategy and Implementation Plan  to reverse impact of land degradation that has been exacerbated by unsustainable agricultural practices (over grazing, over cropping etc.)
  • The Climate Change Act 2016 which identifies forest conservation and management as key to realizing Target 15 of the Aichi Strategic Plan.
  • Enacted the Land Registration Act (2016) and the Community Land Act (2016): to support sustainable land use practices, protection of conservation areas (parks, ranches, conservancies)
  • Enacted the Forest Conservation and Management Act 2016, the Environmental Management and Coordination Act 2015 and developed the National Forest Programme (2016-2030) which have helped to increase areas under conservation.
  •  Imposed a moratorium by the Government of Kenya on logging in public and community forests in February 2018; The moratorium on logging is aimed at reducing deforestation and forest degradation and enhancing regeneration and replanting for sustainable forest management and ecosystems protection through access to genetic materials such as the non- timber products.
  • Reviewed of Charcoal Rules and Regulations (2009) and developed the Private Forests and Gums &Resins Rules & Regulations. This diversification of energy demands aimsto reduce pressure on wood fuel and dependence on biomass sources. Some devolved units have banned production and transportation of wood fuel within their jurisdictions e.g. Kitui, Makueni and Machakos counties
  • Developed of Commercial Forestry Policy; To provide alternative source of wood products and increase vegetation cover thus reducing the direct pressure on natural habitats (forest, wetlands, wood lands, shrub lands, among others.
  • Further the Government has formulated the ASAL Development Policy, 2019, to guide coordinated development of ASALs; formulated National Irrigation Policy, 2017 and enacted Irrigation Act, 2019 to promote development, management and regulation of irrigation; initiated formulation of Draft Land Reclamation Policy, 2018; and the Land Reclamation Bill, 2018.
  • The Government institutionalized Drought Management by enacting the National Drought Management Act, 2016, creating the National Drought Management Authority to coordinate and manage drought in the country. In addition, the State Department for Development of ASALs is undertaking Programmes to enhance community resilience against drought through sustainable resource management of Natural Resources and livelihood diversification.
  • The Government has integrated Ending Drought Emergencies (EDE) in National Development Plans through the EDE Sector Plans for MTP III 2018–2022.
EN
Indicators and Activities

Land degradation index map

EN

The lead agencies have a national action plan through which the status of biodiversity is assessed through the land degradation index, the atlas of changing environment, wetland atlas among others and the mainstreaming of environmental aspects through the devolved government in the county integrated development plans. 

EN
Level of confidence
Based on comprehensive indicator information

Based on applied and adaptive research with identified case studies, collated data on biodiversity aspects, expert opinions and experiences,

EN
Monitoring related to this target is adequate

Monitoring is undertaken through;

  • National action plans e.g. biannual status of environment (State of Environment)
  • National strategic plans e.g. the National Wildlife Strategy 2030 which has been re-engineered and redesigned the institutional architecture of the wildlife sector to ensure effective coordination, Collaboration and synergy amongst the multiple state and non-state actors who have different mandates, roles, capacities and resources thus giving acceptable indicators
EN

16. Nagoya Protocol on ABS

2020 - On track to achieve target
16. Nagoya Protocol on ABS
Category of progress towards the implementation of the selected target
On track to achieve target
01 Mar 2020
  • The Nagoya Protocol is part of Kenyan law as per the constitution which states that every international agreement Kenya is a signatory to is law. Article 2 Section 6 Kenya signed in 01/02/2012 and Ratified in 7th April 2014.
  • The Protection of Genetic Resources and associated Traditional Knowledge in Kenya is a subject matter in the new constitution of Kenya, under clauses touching on the protection of right to property, culture and environment in Article 69. Article 11 of Chapter Two 10 of the new constitution recognizes the value of our culture as the foundation of our nation, and as the cumulative civilization of the Kenyan people and nation. Article 40(5) of the new constitution provides that the state shall support, promote and protect the intellectual property rights of the people of Kenya.
  • On this basis, The Traditional knowledge and Culture expression Act of 2016 was enacted.
  • The Ministry of Environment and Forestry is the focal point organization and NEMA is the competent National Authority, Clearing-House and publishing authority for access and benefits sharing. The designated checkpoints are Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (KEPHIS), NACOSTI, State Department of Immigration and Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI).
  • No person shall transfer any genetic resources outside Kenya unless such person has executed a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA). Regulation 19 requires that benefit sharing shall apply, subject to the laws in force relating to intellectual property rights.
  • In Kenya, institutions responsible for intellectual property rights include the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI), the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO).Since ratification, the Government has issued one hundred and thirty (130) access permits for research and development.
  • The Government has issued one hundred and thirty (130) access permits for research and development.
  • Kenya is in the process of preparing regulations for conservation on biodiversity, access to genetic resources and benefit sharing to be aligned with the provisions of the Protocol.
  • The Government has put in place an Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Committee that reviews and determines the approval of applications for research and development related to utilization of biological resources.

The country submitted their interim report on the implementation of Nagoya Protocol on 1st November 2018.

EN
Level of confidence
Based on comprehensive indicator information

Development on an online permitting system is ongoing for monitoring utilization of genetic resources

EN
Monitoring related to this target is adequate

            The ABS Laws and instruments are being developed to be streamlined in National Action Plans among the users and providers.

2.         Designation of National Focal Points, Competent National Authority, Publishing Authority, Check points and the CHM have been done by the country.

Development on an online permitting system is ongoing for monitoring utilization of genetic resources

EN

17. NBSAPs

2020 - On track to achieve target
17. NBSAPs
Category of progress towards the implementation of the selected target
On track to achieve target
01 Mar 2020
  • Kenya has developed the draft NBSAP 2019-2030. This will be updated based on the post 2020 framework. Baseline Review has been undertaken and stakeholder consultations undertaken. The CHM has provided key resources for the implementation and review of the targets.
  • There have been various mainstreaming activities into key sectors
  • Although in the absence of an approved NBSAP, Kenya has put in place sectoral policies and legal frameworks within the reporting period 2010-2020 for implementation of the NBSAP
  • For instance: Species Management Strategies, The Community Land Act, WCMA 2013 recognition of conservancies, Revised EMCA 2015, Access to bio-resources toolkit, Bioprospecting strategy within and outside protected area developed, Masterplan for rehabilitation and restoration of water catchment areas, Fisheries Management and Development Act-2016, Forest Conservation and Management Act 2016, Forest Management Strategy, National Museums and Heritage Act, REDD+, Climate Change Act 2016, National Climate Change Action Plan, National Strategy for Achievement and Maintaining over 10% tree cover by 2022, National Environment Policy 2014
  • The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics(KNBS) has mapped out 128 out of the 230 SDG Global Indicators, whose data can be available within the short term and work is going on to increase the number of indicators within the next five years. The KNBS has identified the period 2009-2014 as the base period for the SDGs. This is based on data availability and the priorities of the country. The indicators will be used to track and report on the process and progress of the implementation.

The National Treasury and Planning has strengthened the National Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation Systems (NIMES) and County Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation Systems (CIMES), including preparation of regular progress reports on the Plan implementation. The County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs), County Spatial Plans and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) Strategic Plans (2018-2022) have been aligned to the MTP III and the National Spatial Plan.

EN
Level of confidence
Based on partial indicator information and expert opinion
No monitoring system in place

18. Traditional knowledge

2020 - Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
18. Traditional knowledge
Category of progress towards the implementation of the selected target
Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
01 Mar 2020
  • The Traditional knowledge and Traditional Cultural expression Act of 2016 was enacted.
  • Part two of the Act stipulates that county governments shall collect information, document and register traditional knowledge within their jurisprudence for the purpose of recognition.
  • Under the Act, Kenya’s 47 counties are also charged with protection of traditional knowledge from misuse and misappropriation, among other roles. These include county governments working with the national government to establish mechanisms to prevent misappropriation, misuse or unlawful access and exploitation of traditional knowledge and cultural expression without prior consent.
  • The Act also states that county governments are supposed to work with institutions such as KIPI, the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) and Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) in establishment and maintenance of a national repository for genetic resources, traditional knowledge and cultural expressions. The Ministry of Culture has established a task force to develop the roadmap for the implementation of the Act.
  • Other relevant policy and legal frameworks include the:
  • The Kenya Industrial Property Institute established the Traditional Knowledge and Genetic Resources Unit.

Natural Products Programme: The Programme supported the development, acquisition, deployment and uptake of appropriate indigenous technologies to ensure optimal use of available natural resources in a sustainable manner. The aim is to spur home-grown innovative culture and develop Kenyan unique products that meet international standards.

EN
Indicators and Activities

Provisions in the supreme law : Constitution of Kenya (Articles….69): Promulgation of the constitution with provisions on protection of intellectual property rights associated with traditional knowledge and associated genetic resources (Article 11, 40.5 & 69) among others.

2.         Provisions in Enactment of the other Acts as above (TK, Land rights- women and land rights, community rights)

3.         Capacity strengthening on TK

4.         Institutional Mandate:  Under Ministry of Culture, a taskforce to create the implementation roadmap-Ongoing

Adoption of TK in biodiversity  (holistic rangeland management, conservancies)

EN

Performance contracts by ministries, counties, departments and agencies.

2.         Annual progress reports on the MTPs

3.         Capacity building e.g. trainings on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS)toolkit in Central, Western, Rift Valley and Coast regions.

4.         Stakeholders consultations

5.         Expert Opinions

EN
Level of confidence
Based on partial indicator information and expert opinion
Monitoring related to this target is partial (e.g. only covering part of the area or issue)

19. Biodiversity knowledge

2020 - On track to achieve target
19. Biodiversity knowledge
Category of progress towards the implementation of the selected target
On track to achieve target
01 Mar 2020
  • The integration of Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) in national productive processes was considered central to the success of the government’s policy priorities and Programmes outlined in Kenya Vision 2030. Further, STI capabilities are to promote sustainable development, especially through social integration, conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity, sharing opportunities and benefits of a knowledge-based society and economy and strengthening local and indigenous knowledge and culture
  • Over the last several years, many partners have worked together to build the Kenya Biodiversity Atlas Portal - an online platform supporting data generated from “Kenya’s Natural Capital – Biodiversity Atlas” (2015). The platform is open access and supports data acquisition, storage, visualization, and analysis for a variety of uses while maintaining standards to facilitate data exchange and scalability for application in Kenya and East Africa.  With support from the JRS Biodiversity Foundation, the online Portal has been developed with images, maps and other resources and is being enhanced in an initiative led by African Conservation Centre with key Government, Civil Society and Private sector Partners. 
  • Other efforts were made through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) Biodiversity Information for Development (BID) Programme with the aim of increasing the amount of biodiversity data available about a country so as to respond to national priorities; and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development's (IGAD) Biodiversity Management Programme (BMP), whose main objective was to establish biodiversity databases, build technical capacity and digitize biodiversity collections so as to generate a map of biodiversity and other key information products for the IGAD Region.  Kenya published 389,349 new occurrence records during 2019 out of a total of 305,637,165 occurrence records added globally to GBIF. The National Museums of Kenya, Kenya Wildlife Service and other institutions have published datasets with GBIF. Researchers from Kenya contributed to 5 peer-reviewed articles citing GBIF use during 2019 and a total of 31 articles since 2008. There are specific data mobilization projects such as for butterflies.
  • The Natural Product Initiative was prioritized as one of the flagship projects of the Vision 2030 which aims to create an interface between indigenous knowledge and Science, Technology, Innovation and business expertise; spurring home-grown innovation culture and promote quality production and growth while developing Kenyan unique products that meet national and international standards. Under the MTP II, the National Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) supported the creation of enabling policy, legal, regulatory and institutional framework to ensure formal recognition and anchoring of natural products in the mainstream economy. Key success factors include harnessing of indigenous knowledge and related genetic resources; creation of a comprehensive inventory of ethno-botanical resources and building capacity for product discovery, improvement, development and commercialization capability with Government support and participation of private sector and individuals.

KWTA undertakes periodic assessment of the ecosystems in the Water Towers and is developing an Integrated Water Towers Monitoring System with 17 institutions in collaboration with World Resources Institute.  A pilot has been developed and KWTA now exploring synergies on how the systems can communicate with others such as the Tana River Biodiversity Portal. KWTA is mobilizing biodiversity data from Water Towers forests, grasslands, wetlands and shrublands to identify the threats, needs and intervention to meet local needs, conserve the biodiversity, secure water towers and ensure water availability

EN
Indicators and Activities

1.         Exhibitions for Science and Technology

2.         University and research institution conferences,

3.         Cultural days

4.         Species represented in the barcode of life data system

5.         Growth in species occurrence records accessible through GBIF

6.         Species Status Information Index- Species management strategies

EN
Level of confidence
Based on partial indicator information and expert opinion
Monitoring related to this target is partial (e.g. only covering part of the area or issue)

20. Resource mobilization

2020 - Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
20. Resource mobilization
Category of progress towards the implementation of the selected target
Progress towards target but at an insufficient rate
01 Mar 2020
  • The National Treasury and Planning through the State Department for Planning in partnership with development partners and stakeholders, produces a Comprehensive Public Expenditure Review (CPER) report on a three-year period that is well researched to replace the annual public expenditure review. The second Comprehensive Public Expenditure Review (CPER) 2017 presented a comprehensive analysis of public expenditure during the first three years of devolution thereby linking expenditure to achievements while taking cognizance of cost of achieving the results. The CPER also assesses the extent to which expenditure addresses national and county level priorities in order to strengthen the link between policies, planning and budgeting. Consequently, it informs current and future expenditure and budget decisions and is also a key input in the MTEF budget cycle. The CPER included an in-depth sectoral analysis for health, agriculture, infrastructure and energy sectors. However, the Environment Protection, Water and Natural Resources Sector was reviewed under the overall analysis.
  • Kenya’s first Climate Public Expenditure and Budget Review processes has provided some critical lessons, experiences, findings on the budgeting and expenditure frameworks, and where more opportunities for climate mainstreaming exist.  The CPEBR process has also helped generate a new Segment 8, within the IFMIS SCOA which will be enhanced as a sustainable mechanism to track climate relevant expenditure. The National Treasury will continue improving the IFMIS system, to ensure climate change is effectively mainstreamed
  • County Governments are working on developing their County Climate Change Fund model legislation to offer counties an opportunity to finance their own Climate change budget.
  • A Biodiversity Public Expenditure and Budget Review is recommended to monitor and achieve this target.
EN
Indicators and Activities

Budget appropriation report

2.         Auditor General financial report

3.         Comprehensive public budget and expenditure reviews

EN
Level of confidence
Based on partial indicator information and expert opinion
No monitoring system in place

Section IV. Description of national contribution to the achievement of each global Aichi Biodiversity Target

1. Awareness of biodiversity values

  1. Kenya’s Contribution to the achievement of the Global target.

Please see the description on the achievement in Section III.

Kenya has been an active player in the conservation of species in trade and has put in place national and global communication strategies. Kenya hosts various international events that promote awareness of biodiversity and conservation such as the Lewa Marathon[1] and the Rhino Charge[2]. Both events amongst others have been used to raise millions of dollars for the conservation of endangered species. Others include the Forest Challenge[3]  and Kakamega Forest Marathon to support Forest Conservation; Masai Mara Marathon[4] and Kenya Wildlife Marathon[5] to support protected areas and the Ndakaini Dam[6] and Sasamua Dam Marathons to support water towers and water conservation.

Beyond hosting great marathons and winning them, Kenya is also known for the Ivory Burn, a strong message against trade in endangered wildlife products.[7]



EN


  1. Other activities at the Global level

Underscoring  how much the Blue Economy (BE) has become a priority for Kenya, the government hosted the first-ever global ‘Sustainable Blue Economy’
conference on 26 to 28 November 2018 with Japan and Canada. Over 16,000 participants from 184 countries attended the conference, which resulted
in the 
Nairobi Statement of Intent on Advancing a Sustainable Blue Economy.


Contribution to the implementation of the Agenda 2030 for SD and achievement of the SDGs.

Kenya  has mainstreamed conservation, environment and sustainable development  in the national curriculum as elaborated in Section III. The relevant
indicators addressed are summarized below.





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2. Integration of biodiversity values

  1. Kenya’s Contribution to the achievement of the Global target.

The details provided in section III highlight Kenya’s contribution the the achievement of this target at global level. Kenya has been active not only in spearheading national but also regional and global action. These include through the

  1. Gaborone Declaration for Sustainability in Africa[1]: Kenya has signed the Gaborone Declaration and committed develop institutional arrangements to strengthen the implementation of natural capital accounting and develop science-based methodologies on an experimental basis for ecosystem accounting as a complement to GDP and corporate performance. Kenya also plans to pilot and demonstrate the economic, social and environmental aspects of scaled up and integrated approaches to natural capital accounting.
  2. African Ministerial Conference on the Environment: Kenya is implementing the Decisions of AMCEN of 30th Sept. 2019[2] on biodiversity economy and natural capital accounting in Africa, spurred by Africa Agenda 2063.  This decision called for African countries to set up valuation of its ecosystems and ecosystem services to build a strong foundation for developing comprehensive natural capital accounts. This includes development a regional cooperation framework on advancing the biodiversity economy that enhances the value of biological goods and services, integrates natural capital accounting and scales up investment in the sustainable utilization of biological resources as part of Africa’s transformation.


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  1. Other activities at the Global level

Following the Gaborone Summit, Kenya participated in the International  Conference to discuss Valuation and Accounting of Natural Capital for
Green Economy (VANTAGE) in Africa from 3-4 December 2013, at UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya[3].
 Kenya also participated in the Gaborone Declaration for sustainability in Africa Regional Perspectives on Natural Capital Accounting in June
2016 to set priorities for NCA across the region.[4]. 
Kenya has signed the communiqué for natural capital accounting (related to Rio+20 Conference).



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3. Incentives

The details on Kenya’s contribution are provided under Section III.

The Ban on plastics: Through a Gazette Notice No.2334 & 2356, the use, manufacture and importation of plastic bags used for commercial and household packaging was banned in Kenya.  The penalties for contravening the ban are commensurate to the crime.

The EMCA Act 1999 was amended in 2015 hence EMCA Amendment Act 2015. NEMA is charged with enforcing EMCA’s provisions as well as the subsidiary legislation that has been passed over the last decade.  The subsidiary legislation includes water quality, waste management, controlled substances, biodiversity, wetland, river and seashore, and environmental impact assessment (EIA) regulations. Most of the provisions contained in EMCA, as well as the subsidiary legislation, are intended to provide regulations for the usage and type of allowable activity in the different ecosystems and habitats of Kenya. SEIA, EIA and EA mandatory for projects within PAs and outside that are likely to impact biodiversity negatively.

The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2013, the Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016, Natural Resources Act, 2016, Water Act 2016, and Climate Change Act 2016 provide for various incentive measures. Some economic instruments include

  • NEMA – e.g. Pollution taxes Discharge licences and permits
  • Forest taxes, permits and fees e.g. Land rates exemptions for those engaged in private forestry
  • KWS taxes, permits, fees etc e.g. Increased fines/ conviction limits for poachers, bio piracy
  • PES SCHEMES
  • Sustainable financing under the Green Economy: the government seeks to enhance diversification of policy and financial instruments that support the green economy such as green bonds and eco taxes.
  1. Other activities at the Global level
  • On the Green bond[1] Under the Green Bond Programme – Kenya aims to promote financial sector innovation by developing a domestic green bond market, brought together by the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA), Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), Climate Bonds Initiative, Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) Africa and FMO - Dutch Development Bank. Other partners who provide technical assistance and guidance include International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the WWF - Kenya. The Green Bonds Programme - Kenya is endorsed by the National Treasury, Central Bank of Kenya and Capital Markets Authority.
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  1. Other activities at the Global level
  • On the Green bond[1] Under the Green  Bond Programme – Kenya aims to promote financial sector innovation by developing a domestic green bond market, brought together by the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA), Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), Climate Bonds Initiative, Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) Africa and FMO - Dutch Development Bank. Other partners who provide technical assistance and guidance include International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the WWF - Kenya. The Green Bonds Programme - Kenya is endorsed by the National
    Treasury, Central Bank of Kenya and Capital Markets Authority.



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4. Use of natural resources

  1. Kenya’s Contribution to the achievement of the Global target.

The country is implementing the Green Economy Strategy initiatives that aim to support development efforts towards addressing key challenges such as poverty, unemployment, inequality, environmental degradation, climate change and variability, infrastructure gaps and food insecurity. A green growth path results in faster growth, a cleaner environment and high productivity.

The Minerals and Mining Policy was developed and approved in 2016. The enactment of Mining Act 2016 included development of 14 regulations necessary to operationalize this Act. In addition, the Mining Policy 2016 has put sustainable mining at the core of all extractive industries.

In order to enhance efficiency in the use of natural resources and energy, the industrial sector has embraced cleaner production technologies through technical assistance by the Kenya National Cleaner Production Centre. The Centre has built capacity of industries in improving efficiency in the status of production systems/equipment in order to reduce wastage of raw materials and energy aimed at minimizing waste generation at source.

 The private sector in Kenya is also championing sustainable consumption and production under the SWITCH Africa Green Project. Several companies have mainstreamed use of biodegradable materials in their production and consumption.

Driven by a commitment to deliver on sustainable development goals, Kenya has adopted several green economy-related approaches and policies, which include implementing renewable energy feed-in tariffs in 2008, embedding sustainable natural resource utilization into its 2010 Constitution and mainstreaming green economy in its Second Medium Term Plan (2013-2017). https://www.greengrowthknowledge.org/sites/default/files/downloads/resource/KenyaGEassessment_UNEP.pdf


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  1. Other activities at the Global level

Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Projects There  are 20 registered CDM projects in Kenya, which have been issued 0.4 Mt
of CERs. Most of these were renewable energy projects (wind, hydro, biomass, geothermal) and 5 were reforestation projects (Fenhann, 2018).





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5. Loss of habitats

Please see details are provided in Section III for this target.

Kenya’s Constitution and Vision 2030 require forest and tree cover to be increased to at least 10% of the total land area. Further, Kenya has developed and enacted several policy and legal instruments related to reduce habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation. Key policy responses include the National Environment Policy 2013 (Pg. 36), National Strategy and Action Plan for the Management of Invasive Species in Kenya, The Plant Health Protection Act Cap 324, Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Authority Act. No. 13 of 2013, Environmental Management and Coordination Act 1999 (amendment 2015), Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2013, Forest Conservation and Management Act 2016 and Fisheries Management and Development Act 2016.

The National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP 2018-2022) takes cognizance of the impacts of climate change on Kenya’s socioeconomic sectors. It identifies strategic areas where climate change action over the next five years will be linked to the Big Four Agenda. Under the Food and Nutrition Security Agenda, over the next five years the government shall invest heavily in securing our water towers and river ecosystems to harvest and sustainability exploit the potential of our water resources. The government aims to provide, together with other actors, key enablers within the farming process that will address distribution, wastage, storage, and value-addition of agricultural commodities.

The Government of Kenya has made significant strides towards the formulation of Wetlands Conservation and Management Policy 2015 and supported the development of the Kenya Wetlands Atlas (2012) which maps the country’s wetland resources. The National Mangrove Ecosystem Management Plan covers all gazetted mangrove forest reserves in Kenya and is implemented over 10-year period (2017 – 2027). This management plan addresses the lack of ecosystem-based management approaches for mangroves in Kenya and supports sustainable utilization of mangrove resources while enhancing biodiversity conservation and ecosystem integrity. Further, Integrated Coastal Zone Management Policy, 2015 guides actions and policies which are related to the management and use of Kenya’s coastal zone resources. This also covers the restoration of the degraded areas and the protection of the resources, the development a legal framework for the purpose of ensuring sustainable conservation and management of the deltas and estuaries; and development of comprehensive research information to aid in the proper conservation and management of said ecosystems.[1]

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6. Sustainable fisheries

  1. Kenya’s Contribution to the achievement of the Global target.

Revision of the National Oceans and Fisheries Policy, 2008 was completed; Sector Plan for Blue Economy, 2018-2022 was completed and launched among others on 23rd November, 2018: The Fisheries Management and Development Act 2016 provides for the conservation, management and development of fisheries and other aquatic resources to enhance the livelihood of communities that depend on fishing. It gives guidance on the import and export trade of fish and fish products, fish quality and safety among other provisions that support sustainable utilization of marine products in Kenya. Other actions are; development of Fisheries Management Plans; Kenya Tuna Fisheries Development and Management Strategy 2013 -2018, establishment of an Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) centre in Mombasa and installation of a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), restocking of 135 dams, 11 rivers and 3 lakes with a total of 4,881,663 assorted fish fingerlings to increase productivity, mapping and delineation of thirteen (13) critical fish habitats, 5 in Lake Naivasha, 3 in Lake Baringo and 5 in Lake Turkana to protect the breeding areas and thus increase in-situ stock recruitment.

Under Blue Economy Sector that has been recently launched, the priorities are:

  • 56 sub-catchment management plans developed, and 236 sub-catchment management plans implemented to assist local communities to protect wetlands, lakes, and other water catchment areas.
  • Integrated catchment approach and ecosystem-based adaptation structural/ mechanical design, such as structural catchment protection, especially in the upper catchments,
  • Livelihood systems improved on 60,000 hectares of degraded land through the development of water pans and ponds; and
  • Rehabilitating and restoring mangrove forests; and
  • Conserving at least 15% of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services.
  • Develop the Blue Economy Master Plan (BEMP) to provide a blueprint to guide the long-term holistic development of the Blue Economy.

Kenya produced the Kenya State of the Coast Report[1] which describes the status of Kenya’s coastal and marine environment, demographic and resource-use trends, current impacts and threats to sustainability, and management measures to mitigate and prevent continued resource overexploitation and environmental degradation. The document will serve as the foundation for the development of an Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Plan for Kenya.

  1. Other activities at the Global level

Kenya played an important role in the establishment of a legal order of the seas and oceans, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, (UNCLOS) of 1982 and continues to be active in national, regional and global efforts. Kenya is an active member of the Nairobi Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of Coastal and Marine Environment of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO)[2]. Kenya is participating in the implementation of the Strategic Action Programme for the protection of the Western Indian Ocean from land-based sources and activities (WIO-SAP) and The Western Indian Ocean Large Marine Ecosystems Strategic Action Programme Policy Harmonisation and Institutional Reforms (WIO LME SAPPHIRE). Kenya is addressing at the continental level, the 2050 African Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIMS) which provides a broad framework for the protection and sustainable exploitation of African maritime domain for wealth creation and the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in

Africa of 2010 also provides a comprehensive framework for governance and exploration of Africa’s fisheries and aquaculture resources. Additionally, the Africa’s Blue Economy: A Policy HandBook (2016) provides a guideline for sustainable blue economy development for African Union (AU) Member States.

At International and Regional level Kenya is a signatory to many regional and international Conventions, Agreements and Protocols, governing fisheries. The Country is also a member of Regional Fisheries Bodies such as the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, International Whaling Commission, Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization, South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission, and the Committee of Fisheries and Aquaculture of Africa.

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7. Areas under sustainable management

  1. Kenya’s Contribution to the achievement of the Global target.

Please see detail on the implementation of this global target in section 111.

Main action include establishing legal and policy frameworks to support implementation of the Constitution 10% target for area under forest, Sustainable forest management, Participatory forest management/Community forest management, Climate Smart Agriculture (climate smart technologies and practices), Water Resource Users (WRUAs) for water resources management, Enhanced /increased Protected areas systems, and Community conservation Sustainable aquaculture.

The Key Policy actions include the National Strategy to achieve the 10% tree cover target, The Green Economy Strategy (GESIP)and Implementation Plan 2030,  National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) 2013-2017 and 2018-2022, MTP II and MTP III sector Plans,  and various Acts, Policies and Plans for Water for Water, Agriculture and Environment respectively. GESIP provide the policy push under Thematic area 3 on Sustainable Natural Resource Management which encompasses agriculture, forestry, water, wildlife, land use and extractive industries.

The size of protected forest area has increased from 1.57 million hectares in 2010 to 2.59 million hectares in 2019 mainly through gazetting of new forests with sustained increase and since 2015. The Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016 (Section 42) indicates that indigenous forests and woodlands are to be managed on a sustainable basis for, inter alia, carbon sequestration. Section 8 indicates that KFS is to manage water catchment areas in relation to soil and water conservation, carbon sequestration, and other environmental services; and Section 21 notes that County Governments are to promote afforestation activities.

The National Forest Programme 2016-2030 defines the national forest framework which is premised on sustainable forest management.  The overall goal: “To develop and sustainably manage, conserve, restore and utilize forests and allied resources for socio-economic growth and climate resilience.” The first strategic objectives is to increase tree cover and reverse forest degradation through sustainable forest management.

The Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Strategy 2017-2026, seeks, among others, to minimize GHG emissions from these sectors. The Strategy elaborates efforts mainstream sustainable natural resource management into production systems to minimize emissions in agricultural production systems and enhance resilience of agriculture systems to climate change impacts. This involves promotion of agroforestry/farm forestry and adoption of practices that encourage inclusion of trees in the farming systems e.g. conservation agriculture with trees for reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.

In NCCAP 2013-2017 and the SNC, the following three mitigation actions were prioritized for the agriculture sector,

  • Limiting the use of fire in range and cropland management, which has mitigation potential of 0.29 MtCO2e by 2030;
  • Conservation tillage, which has mitigation potential of 1.09 MtCO2e by 2030; and
  • Agroforestry, which has mitigation potential of 4.16 MtCO2e by 2030.s

Key results are:

  • Number of households and acreage under sustainable land management (SLM) increased for agricultural production:
  • Support for the reclamation of 60,000 hectares of degraded land;
  • Area under integrated soil nutrient management increased by 250,000 acres;
  • Farm area under conservation agriculture increased to 250,000 acres, incorporating minimum/no tillage; and
  • Total area under agroforestry at farm level increased by 200,000 acres.

Further, Kenya is actually ranked the fourth major producer of aquaculture in Africa with production from aquaculture systems recording a growth from 4,218 metric tonnes (MT) in 2006 to peak at 24,096 MT in 2014, representing 15% of total national fish production.

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8. Pollution

These key actions include EMCA ACT 2015, Agriculture Act 2013, Polluter pays principle, Water Act 2016, Fisheries Management and Development Act, 2016 (No. 35 of 2016), Wetlands policy 2013, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Act, 2013 (No. 17 of 2013), Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Authority Act, 2013 (No. 13 of 2013), Kenya 10% tree cover strategy, Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016 (No. 34 of 2016) and Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013 (No. 47 of 2013).

In support of the East Africa Community (EAC) Polythene Materials Control Bill, 2016 which proposes a total ban of plastic bags in the EAC countries. Kenya has already placed a total BAN on plastic bags with effect from August 2017. The Draft Environmental Management and Co-ordination (e-Waste Management) Regulations, 2013, to restrict the prior informed consent chemicals are under consideration. Through NEMA, Kenya monitors chemical and hazardous facilities on their impact on human health and environment.

Laws related to air pollution include Environmental Policy , 2013, Air Quality Regulations, 2014 , Kenya Standards Act, Cap 496, Kenya Standard(KS 1515): Code of Practice on Inspection of  Occupational Health and Safety Act, 2007, Public Health Act, cap 242, National Transport and Safety Act, 2012 and Energy Act, 2006.

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9. Invasive Alien Species

Please see section III for details on the contribution to the global target.

The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2013 on seventh schedule on invasive species lists 1 mammal, 7 reptiles and amphibians, 17 birds, 10 plants and 1 invertebrate.

The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) ensures that the introduction of plant pests, diseases and noxious weed into Kenya is prevented or delayed. All phyosanitary measures are based on international standards as in International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreement on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regulations and guidelines. The Plant Protection Act (CAP 324), the suppression of Noxious weeks (Cap 325) and the Agricultural produce (Export) Act (Cap 319) provide the legal framework through which the authority carries out phytosanitary regulation service.

Kenya Wildlife Services have also identified invasive alien species in protected areas[1] and developed a strategy on IAS management and control. CABI working with key stakeholders have developed a guide to

the naturalized and invasive species of Laikipia[1]. There have been various projects especially on point source pollution and eradication of the water hyacinth in Lake Victoria through the three phases of the Lake Victoria Environment Management Programme (LVEMP)[2] among others.

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10. Vulnerable ecosystems

Kenya’s coral reefs cover an area of approximately 639 km2. Long-term monitoring has been pursued by Kenyan institutions since 1998/99, to follow the trends and status of corals and fish populations at a country level[1].  Kenyan coral reefs have an average hard coral cover of 18%, with fleshy algae at 34%, across a range of healthy and degraded reefs. Fully protected reef lagoons have higher hard coral cover (15-40%), focal fish species abundance (>100 indiv./ha ) and less algal cover (40%), and high coral rubble cover (>10%).

Key legislation include the Fisheries Act has recently been updated (2016), EMCA Act 2015, Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Authority Act, 2013 (No. 13 of 2013), Water Act 2016, Fisheries Management and Development Act, 2016 (No. 35 of 2016), Wetlands Policy 2013, Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016 (No. 34 of 2016 and Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013 (No. 47 of 2013).

A Coral Reef and Seagrass Ecosystems Conservation Strategy Plan (2014) was launched for 2015-2019. To reduce the fragmentation among different institutions and their mandates that affect coral reefs, the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Action Plan and Coral Reef and Seagrass Strategy provide ways to bridge the gaps. The National Coral Reef Restoration Protocol (NCRRP) is expected to provide information on replacing dead coral reefs and adversely affected fish breeding grounds along the coastline. Kenya Coral Reef and Sea Grass Ecosystems Conservation Strategy 2015-2019 also targets the coral and associated ecosystems recovery. the National Mangrove Ecosystem Management Plan also supported by the KCDP project. This is a 10 year management plan spanning from 2017 –2027 period; and with an estimated implementation budget of KES 3.8 billion.

In 2016, the 3rd global bleaching event impacted the WIO, with 30% of reefs showing evidence of high or severe bleaching, but only 10% showing high or severe mortality[1]. Recovery was slightly better in no-take MPAs, followed by partially protected reserves and community-conserved areas, and least in unprotected areas. Fish abundances show a similar pattern, being highest in no-take areas and lowest in unprotected areas, but with high levels of variation among sites

Historically, management of coral reefs in Kenya has been the domain of central government, with a network of 4 marine parks (fully protected) and 6 marine reserves (partially protected, allowing traditional fishing) under the management of Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). In recent years, coastal fishing communities have embraced the concept of community-based conservation and established 12 demarcated CCAs (the local term for Locally Managed Marine Areas, LMMAs), to enhance sustainable fisheries and other livelihood options such as eco-tourism.

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  1. Other activities at the Global level

At International and Regional level Kenya is a signatory to many regional and international Conventions, Agreements and Protocols, governing fisheries. The Country is also a member of Regional Fisheries Bodies such as the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, International Whaling Commission, Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization, South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission, and the Committee of Fisheries and Aquaculture of Africa.

The countries have implemented measures to reduce fishing pressures, including controls on dynamite, fishing in Tanzania, through joint community, NGO and government pressure, and put a ban on aquarium fish collection in Mozambique until it can be shown to be sustainable. All countries are devolving more power to local communities to monitor and manage their own fishery resources, largely through the mediation of conservation and community development initiatives.

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11. Protected areas

  1. Kenya’s Contribution to the achievement of the Global target.

Kenya has officially protected over 8% of its terrestrial and marine ecosystems with a network of National Parks, National Reserves, Forest Reserves, and Sanctuaries. This is complemented by a further 160 Conservancies, ensuring an additional 11% of Kenya is actively managed for wildlife conservation. These Conservancies are estimated to contain as much as 60% of Kenya’s large mammals and protect a diverse array of habitats and other species[1]. Presently, Kenya has 24 terrestrial National Parks which occupy an area of 29,504Km2 that is approximately 5.08% of the total area of Kenya. There are 31 terrestrial National Reserves in Kenya occupying 17,358.8km2 which is 3% of the country’s total area. Most of the National reserves are managed by county governments with technical advice from Kenya Wildlife Service.

Kenya has 257 sites categorized as natural forests which harbor a variety of wildlife species and are also water towers or water catchment areas. These natural forests fall under 4 key management regimes namely; community forests (52 sites covering 180, 245 ha), forest reserves (201 sites covering 2,045, 406 ha), national monuments (3 sites covering 401 ha) and trust land (1 site covering 188,2017ha) with a total area of 24,142.59km2 which is 4.2% of Kenya’s total area. Marsabit forest ecosystem management plan 2015-2025 is under legal notice No. 1894 of March 2016.

There are 5 National Sanctuaries in Kenya located in Nakuru, Samburu, Kisumu and Homa bay counties. They cover12.47km2 of the country. These sites were designated as Sanctuaries for various reasons amongst them:

spectacular views and abundant birdlife; conservation education and rescue centers; or due to historical reasons.

There are over 160 conservancies covering over 63,600Km2 representing 11% of the country’s area. Of these, 4 are Marine, 76 are community, 58 are private, and 26 are group while 60 are listed under World Database Protected Area (WPDA). They mostly operate as Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Trusts or private companies.

The Wildlife Conservation Management Act of 2013 (WCMA, 2013) provide for the protection, conservation, sustainable use and management of wildlife in Kenya and for connected purposes. The Act requires the Ministry to prepare and present to Parliament a Wildlife Status report which gives the status of: all National Parks and Reserves; Conservancies and Sanctuaries; community wildlife scouts in Conservancies; Management Plans; all listed species in Schedule 6 and 7 and their recovery status. The National Wildlife strategy 2030, promotes an ecosystem approach and inclusion of biodiversity in totality[1]. The establishment of County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee under wildlife Conservation and management Act 2013, has improved management and conservation of wildlife at the county level through a participatory approach in land use planning initiatives and in consultation with all the stakeholders with particular regard to critical wildlife habitats, corridors and dispersal areas for better management and conservation of wildlife[2]. The (National Wildlife conservation Status Report 2015-2017) outlines measures to ensure sustainable management of protected areas in Kenya.

The Kenya’s Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas status and Trends report in 2016 indicates that there were two more additional areas identified which totals up to 67 Areas in Kenya. This is attributed to increase in patrolling and surveillance especially in the protected areas. [3]. Kenya has several wildlife corridors with the major ones being the Amboseli-Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya-Lewa downs-Samburu-Meru elephant corridors. The latter is a world heritage site

The Fisheries Act 2016 also provide an avenue for conservation and management of the Marine Protected areas and other aquatic resources to enhance the livelihood of the communities dependent on the resources.[4]

Kenya’s Vision 2030 flagship project for securing wildlife dispersal areas and migratory routes/corridors developed a Conservation Connectivity Framework (CCF), which has identified and mapped all the wildlife dispersal areas and migratory corridors in the southern and northern Kenya rangelands and coastal terrestrial ecosystems. The first phase of the mapping process focused on the southern Kenya rangeland ecosystems comprising six contiguous sub-ecosystems while the second phase focused on the northern Kenya rangelands and coastal terrestrial ecosystem comprising the greater Ewaso ecosystem, South Turkana-Mt. Elgon ecosystem, northeast Kenya landscapes, and coastal terrestrial ecosystems.

A total of 58 migratory routes and corridors were identified in the southern Kenya rangeland ecosystems: Maasai-Mara ecosystem (17); Eburu Forest and Lakes Naivasha-Elmentaita-Nakuru conservation and ecological area (8), Athi-Kaputiei and Nairobi National Park (7), South Rift (8), Amboseli and west Kilimanjaro (8), and the Tsavo xvii Conservation Area (10). Fifty-two migratory routes or corridors were identified in the northern Kenya rangelands and coastal terrestrial ecosystems, with the majority found in the greater Ewaso ecosystem. More salient routes and corridors used by other wildlife species also exist in the Kenya rangelands, but were not considered and need further investigation.

Kenya has six wetlands in the RAMSAR list: Lake Naivasha, Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria, Lake Elementaita, Lake Nakuru and Tana River Delta. The process of listing more wetlands in RAMSAR site is underway to include sites such as Lake Ol Bolossat in Nyandarua county

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  1. Other activities at the Global level

Kenya is a signatory to and implementing various regional agreements relevant to this target. These include:

Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Western Indian Ocean (Nairobi Convention) and its Protocols - to protect and manage the marine environment of the coastal areas of Western Indian Ocean.

Lusaka Agreement on Cooperative Enforcement Operations Directed at Illegal Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora. Kenya hosts the Secretariat (LATF) established under the Agreement. The Secretariat is run by law enforcement officers seconded from the wildlife authorities of the signatory states and coordinates with the National wildlife authorities of signatory states and other law enforcement agencies to control cross-border illegal wildlife trade in member states. Through the Agreement the country has strived to control poaching and trafficking of wildlife especially of ivory and rhino horns.  The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013 and The East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004 (Rev. 2008) implement the Lusaka Agreement.

Revised African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. (The Algiers Convention). Parties are required to increase vegetation cover, promote traditional rights of local communities and traditional knowledge, and participate in meetings for the conservation and rehabilitation of shared natural resources for future generations.

East Africa Community Protocol on Environment and Natural Resources Management. Partner states are currently re-negotiating the Protocol to streamline certain aspects with respect to use and protection of natural resources in the East Africa Community (EAC).

The 2010 Nile Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA). Kenya has a keen interest in the conclusion of the CFA given its rising water demands and hence the need to fully utilize the potential of   the Nile River Basin as an important and indispensable water resource to her people. Moreover, the main water towers that are the source of the rivers that feed into Lake Victoria are in Kenya. The Cabinet and the National Assembly approved the ratification process of the instrument. Kenya hosted the 27th Nile Council of Ministers meeting in Nairobi on 29th November 2019, to review status of ratification of the CFA by 10 member countries and review progress made towards earlier resolutions.

East Africa Community Protocol for the Sustainable Development of Lake Victoria Basin. The Protocol provides a framework for cooperation among the Partner States in the conservation and sustainable utilization of the resources in the Lake Victoria Basin. EAC partner states and stakeholders are obliged to protect, conserve, and where necessary rehabilitate Lake Victoria Basin and its ecosystems; and to develop Programmes to reduce environmental degradation within the Lake Victoria Basin and explore means of having coordinated implementation of Programmes on the Lake's basin by different institutions.The Protocol establishes the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) with its headquarters based in Kisumu, Kenya. Key projects include the Lake Victoria Environmental Management Program LVEMP I, II and III as well as the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation (LVWATSAN) I and II Project, under the Focal Point Ministry.

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12. Preventing extinctions

  1. Kenya’s Contribution to the achievement of the Global target.

Please see details on this target in section III

The Wildlife Conservation Management Act of 2013 (WCMA, 2013) provide for the protection, conservation, sustainable use and management of wildlife in Kenya and for connected purposes. The National Wildlife Strategy 2030 developed in June 2018 Icreates an enabling environment under pillar one to build resilience for species conservation in the protected areas.  The National Forest Programme 2016-2030 identifies loss of protected areas as a challenge towards forest management and conservation. It seeks under its strategy on water shed management to increase acreage of protected areas.  The National Strategy for achieving and Maintaining 10% Tree Cover by 2022 has been launched. The Fisheries Act 2016 also provide an avenue for conservation and management of the Marine Protected areas and other aquatic resources to enhance the livelihood of the communities dependent on the resources

The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013; The East African Customs and Management Act, 2004 (Rev. 2008); EMCA, 2015; are among the key legislation for penalties, seizures and confiscation, and permitting. In 2014, the Government enhanced the penalties under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013, to curb the illegal trade in endangered species. The National Wildlife Strategy 2030 launched in June 2018, forms the blueprint for wildlife conservation and management in the country. In order to have a comprehensive and coordinated policy framework, the Government is reviewing the 1975 Wildlife Policy.

 The 2017 IUCN list of threatened species showed that Kenya had 463 plant and animal species which were threatened. These include 30 mammal, 43 bird, 73 fish and 234 plant species. The broad classification by IUCN while listing threatened species includes. Critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, near threatened, least concern, data deficient, and not evaluated. (KWS report 2017).

The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (WCMA, 2013) in schedule 6 lists 245 wildlife species under various categories of threats ranging from critically endangered to protected species. The Act requires that the status of these species be reported to the National Assembly every 2years and the recovery measures being implemented to restore the said species be indicated. Focus is given to the conservation status of endangered listed species, their habitats and factors that influence their population trends. Whereas the listed number of species in schedule 6 is 245, only 31 species recovery plans have been developed out of which 13 have since expired.

The National Wildlife Conservation Status Report 2015-2017 provides an overview of the status and trends of wildlife species in Kenya, the current population and its viability, population trends, breeding success rates, threats, and management interventions undertaken.

Section 49 (4) WCMA, 2013 requires KWS to develop and implement recovery plans for all nationally listed species and on the status of all species for which such plans have been developed. KWS in collaboration with relevant stakeholders has developed and is championing implementation of 19 species specific recovery plans, including for Black Rhino, Elephants, Cheetah and Wild Dogs,nLion and Hyena, Grevy’s Zebra, Sea Turtles, sable antelopes, giraffes, Eastern Mountain Bongos, Roan Antelope, Sitatunga, Hirola antelopes. Others include for Sagalla Caecilian, Critically Endangered birds in Taita Hills (Taita Thrush, Taita Apalis), Spotted Ground Thrush (Zoothera guttata), Bird, Coral reefs and sea grasses ecosystems, and Aloe, for invasive species, and for bioprospecting. With Partners, others included for Blue Swallow, Lesser Flamingo, Madagascar Pond Heron, Maccoa Duck, Grey Crowned Crane and Lappet-faced Vulture. These are available from the KWS website.[1]


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  1. Other activities at the Global level

Kenya
 has designated the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) as CITES Management  Authority and the National Museums of Kenya as the CITES Scientific
Authority as required by the Convention.Due  to limited human resource and technical capacity on some specific
areas, there is inadequate information on some of the listed species thus their population status is listed as data deficient. Remnant
population of some of the listed species are non-viable e.g. the Roan antelope and the bearded vulture. The management through the MOE&NR
has requested for two herds of roan antelopes and a pair bearded vulture  from the People Republic of Tanzania and Ethiopia respectively thus
require follow up.

Rhinos: Three out of five sub-species of rhinos in the world are found in Kenya. The Black rhino – Diceros bicornis michaeli is native to the country while the Southern white rhino – Ceratotherium simum simum and the Northern white rhino Ceratotherium simum cottoni are exotic. In the 1970’s Kenya had a population of 20,000 black rhinos widely spread mainly in the protected areas. Presently there are 10 black rhino sanctuaries in National Parks with two of the parks, Tsavo East and West having free ranging rhinos in Intensive Protection Zones (IPZ). Only Masai Mara National Reserve- - is a rhino Reserve and 8 Conservancies have rhino sanctuaries. Both the White and Black Rhino have shown a positive trend in their population growth This can be
attributed to a number of factors among them:  the creation of specific rhino sanctuaries, Heightened security against poaching,  strict control of diseases, and development and implementation of a National Rhino strategy.

The Government submitted twenty (20) proposals at CITES COP 18 in Geneva, Switzerland, 2019, 19 of which successfully went through. The proposal
to restrict trade in elephant ivory and rhino horns among other species which were considered at COP 18 in Geneva in August 2019. The proposed
revisions aimed at strengthening the language in the Resolution 10.10 on elephants and in Resolution 9.14 on rhinoceroses to restrict any ivory
and rhino horn trade, by ensuring all domestic ivory markets across the globe are closed; enhanced management by parties of ivory and rhino horn
 stock piles to ensure such stocks do not leak from Government stores into the illegal markets; and in Resolution 11.20 to restrict trade in
live elephants to only apply for purposes of promoting conservation of the species only in-situ respectively. The proposal further aimed at
countering proposals to trade in rhino and rhino horns. COP 18 approved the proposed changes. In adopting the changes in Resolution 11.20 the
COP approved a near complete ban on capturing and sending African elephants from their natural habitats to zoos and other captive
facilities abroad.

Kenya’s proposal on Pancake Tortoise were adopted. Kenya proposed forty-four (44) and forty-five (45) for inclusion of White-Spotted Wedge Fish and
Teat Fish, respectively, to regulate trade through CITES permits and certificates were approved. Proposal 5 to include Giraffe in Appendix II
 was accepted overwhelmingly. Decisions adopted at the CITES COP 18 entered into force on 26th November 2019, for implementation.
 However, the decision on the listing of the Teat Fish in Appendix II will enter into force in November 2020.

Kenya’s participation to and adequate representation at COP 18 was instrumental in the realization of the following conservation milestones:

  • The rejection by CITES of lifting the international ivory trade ban means that the international trade ban in ivory and rhino horns remains,
  • stringent regulation on live elephant trade to only allow any transfer of live elephants to appropriate and acceptable destinations within the
    elephant’s natural range,strict and time bound compliance requirements for those countries that still have domestic ivory markets to work towards closing such markets and report to CITES on a regular basis the efforts being made to achieve the measure and to ensure their trade do not contribute to poaching and illegal ivory trade.



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13. Agricultural biodiversity

Some relevant policy and legal frameworks for GR in Kenya[1] include the Environment Management and Coordination Act (EMCA, 2015); Industrial Properties Act Cap 509 (2001); the Forestry Act (2005); the National Biosafety Act (2009); the Land Act (No. 2 of 2012); Seeds and Plant (Amendment) Act 2012; Crops Act No. 16 of 2013; Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (No. 47 of 2013); the Science, Technology and Innovations Act (2013); Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Act No. 17 of 2013; the National Biotechnology Development Policy (2006); Kenya National Seed Policy (2010); Natural Resources Bill (2014) and Kenya’s Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Expressions Act of 2016.

GERRI developed National Strategy on Genetic Resources Within the context of Climate Change 2016 – 2020 as a response to the second Global Plan of Action (GPA) for GRFA, and the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP). The Strategy provides a comprehensive framework for:

  • sustainable use, development and conservation of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, 
  • mainstreaming climate change impacts into the conservation agenda, and
    • systems for consensus building when engaging different stakeholders to develop mechanisms for equitable sharing of benefits accrued from utilization of plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

    The National Gene Bank of Kenya, now operating under the auspices of GeRRI, is the only long-term ex situ conservation facility in the country which currently holds a repository of about 50,000 plant accessions representing 165 families, 893 genera and 2,000 species. These materials have been assembled through both in-country collecting expeditions and donations from within and outside Kenya. Out of the 2,000 species conserved at the GeRRI gene bank, only 144 have been characterized, none of which has been comprehensively evaluated for biotic and abiotic stresses.

    Only 4,000 accessions out of the more than 50,000 conserved at the GeRRI gene bank have been distributed for utilization in the last 15 years, of which a total of 3,189 accessions have been distributed over the last 5 years. This is partly because less than 10% of the accessions have been characterized and evaluated due to insufficient scientific staffing and financial constraints. Plant genetic resources secured under long term ex situ conservation increased by over two thousand (2000) accessions (ecotypes) comprise of 78 Families, 200 genera and 321 species (National Genebank database). More significantly, over eighty (80) of the collected and secured species (which constitutes close to 25%) during the period under review were new to conservation in the country. The Genetic Resources Research Institute has to date amassed over 50,000 accessions comprising close to 2000 species of diverse plant genetic resources at its conservation facility.

    GeRRI in partnership with the National Museums of Kenya, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew of the United Kingdom, and Kenya Forestry Research Institute, working under the auspices of the Seeds for Life Project, have recently described some more than 10 plant species that are new to science, collected and banked close to 1,000 plant species that are new to ex situ conservation in Kenya.

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  1. Other activities at the Global level

GeRRI in partnership with the National Museums of Kenya, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew of the United Kingdom, and Kenya Forestry Research Institute, working under the auspices of the Seeds for Life Project, have recently described some more than 10 plant species that are new to science, collected and banked close to 1,000 plant species that are new to ex situ conservation in Kenya.

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14. Essential ecosystem services

  1. Kenya’s Contribution to the achievement of the Global target.

In Kenya, a key approach to ecosystem management is through the concept of basins-based planning practiced since early 1970s through establishment of Regional Development Authorities (RDAs). According to the Acts that created them, the RDAs were constituted based on river basins and large water bodies to spur regional development through sustainable utilization and conservation of natural resources. The six Regional Development Authorities (RDAs), are; Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (TARDA[1]), Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA[2]), Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA[3]), Ewaso Ng’iro South Development Authority (ENSDA[4]), Ewaso Ng’iro North Development Authority (ENNDA[5]) and Coast Development Authority (CDA[6]). .[7]

Kenya Water Towers Agency (KWTA) is mandated to coordinate and oversee the protection, rehabilitation, conservation and sustainable management of all the critical water towers in Kenya.[8] and protection of Kenya’s five (5) major water towers namely; the Aberdares, Cherangany, Mau, Mt. Kenya and Mt. Elgon and other smaller significant Water Towers and catchment areas such as Chyulu Hills, Nyambene, Ngong Hills, Taita Hills, Maragoli, Marsabit, Shimba Hills, Ndotos, Nyiru, Hills in Machakos, Makueni and Kitui, Leroghi, Matthews Range and Dunes in Lamu and Northern Kenya has been undertaken in this period.

Many government MDAs and civil society have supported ecosystem-based approaches to secure ecosystem services and support livelihoods.   For example: Nature Kenya[1] - Nature Kenya has championed the use of the Toolkit for Ecosystem Services Site-based Assessment in Kenya in Kenya, which gives guidance in measuring ecosystem services provided by a habitat. So far Ecosystem Services Assessment has been carried out in Kakamega Forest, Yala wetland complex, Taita Hills forests, Dakatcha Woodland and Arabuko Sokoke Forest IBAs.

Forest Conservation and Management Act 2016  outlines public participation and community involvement in the management of forests through Community Forest Association  and recognising establishment of community forests. The Wildlife Management and Conservation Act of 2013 established conservancies, sanctuaries community, and wildlife association and wildlife managers. The act developed County Conservation Committee whose role included compensation scheme which seek to compensate communities against loss of life, disabilities and destruction of property occasioned by human-wildlife conflicts.

Water Act 2016 provides for establishment of Water Resource User Associations (WRUAs), which are community-based associations for collective management of water resources and resolution of conflicts concerning the use of water resource.

 Community Land Act, 2016 Act provides for the recognition and registration of community land rights, management and administration of community land, and the role of county government in relation to unregistered community land.


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  1. Other activities at the Global level

Trans boundary Waters: The Programme entailed negotiations on mutual utilization and conservation of trans-boundary waters.  The locations of trans-boundary surface waters and their status were established while three bilateral frameworks developed, negotiated and finalized for the management of transboundary water resources. These are Sio-Malaba-Malakisi River, Mara River and lakes Challa-Jibe and Umba River. Other regional processes include the 2010 Nile Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA.  The main water towers that are the source of the rivers that feed into Lake Victoria are in Kenya and East Africa Community Protocol for the Sustainable Development of Lake Victoria Basin. The Protocol provides a framework for cooperation among the Partner States in the conservation and sustainable utilization of the resources in the Lake Victoria Basin.

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15. Ecosystem resilience

  1. Kenya’s Contribution to the achievement of the Global target.

According to the National Forest Programme, 2016-2030, analysis of change in forest cover over the last 25 years revealed improved afforestation activities. Forest land has decreased by 311,000 ha while crop land increased by 1,018,000 ha between 1990 and 2015. Between 1990 and 2000, Kenya lost approximately 1.2 million ha of forest land, equivalent to 25% of forest cover. However, there is a remarkable increase in forest cover from 6.01% in 2000 to the predicted 7.46% in 2015. This is equivalent to an annual increase of 0.1%.[1]

Kenya has enacted the Forest Conservation and Management Act 2016, the Environmental Management and Coordination Act 2015 and developed the National Forest Programme (2016-2030) which have helped to increase areas under conservation. The moratorium by the Government of Kenya on logging in public and community forests in February 2018 is aimed at reducing deforestation and forest degradation and enhancing regeneration and replanting for sustainable forest management and ecosystems protection through access to genetic materials such as the non- timber products.

Kenya has developed and enacted several policy and legal instruments related to reduce habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation. Key policy responses include the National Environment Policy 2013, National Strategy and Action Plan for the Management of Invasive Species in Kenya, The Plant Health Protection Act Cap 324, Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Authority Act. No. 13 of 2013, Environmental

Management and Coordination Act 1999 (amendment 2015), Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2013, Forest Conservation and Management Act 2016 and Fisheries Management and Development Act 2016. Others include the National Forest Programme 2016-2030 and Wetlands Conservation and Management Policy.

Further the Government has formulated the ASAL Development Policy, 2019, to guide coordinated development of ASALs; formulated National Irrigation Policy, 2017 and enacted Irrigation Act, 2019 to promote development, management and regulation of irrigation; initiated formulation of Draft Land Reclamation Policy, 2018; and the Land Reclamation Bill, 2018. The Land Reclamation Policy and Bill formulation are ongoing concurrently. The draft policy is at the regional consultative stage and will be submitted to the Cabinet alongside the bill thereafter. 

The Government institutionalized Drought Management by enacting the National Drought Management Act, 2016, creating the National Drought Management Authority to coordinate and manage drought in the country. In addition, the State Department for Development of ASALs is undertaking Programmes to enhance community resilience against drought through sustainable resource management of Natural Resources and livelihood diversification. The Government has integrated Ending Drought Emergencies (EDE) in National Development Plans through the EDE Sector Plans for MTP III 2018–2022.

The National Mangrove Ecosystem Management Plan covers all gazetted mangrove forest reserves in Kenya and is implemented over 10-year period (2017 – 2027). This management plan addresses the lack of ecosystem-based management approaches for mangroves in Kenya and supports sustainable utilization of mangrove resources while enhancing biodiversity conservation and ecosystem integrity. The Plan has taken cognizance of other existing policies relating to land and land use, tenure, agriculture, fisheries, energy, environment, mining, wildlife, and water. It also embraces collaborative and participatory approaches in natural resources governance that leads to ownership of the initiatives by the stakeholders.

Further, Integrated Coastal Zone Management Policy, 2015 guides actions and policies which are related to the management and use of Kenya’s coastal zone resources. This also covers the restoration of the degraded areas and the protection of the resources, the development a legal framework for the purpose of ensuring sustainable conservation and management of the deltas and estuaries; and development of comprehensive research information to aid in the proper conservation and management of said ecosystems.[1]

The Government of Kenya has made significant strides towards the formulation of Wetlands Conservation and Management Policy 2015 and supported the development of the Kenya Wetlands Atlas (2012) which maps the country’s wetland resources. The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), pursuant to the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA), Cap 387 has prepared the draft Environmental Management and Coordination (Conservation and Management of Wetlands) Amendment Regulations, 2017 intended to amend the Environmental Management and Coordination (Wetlands, River banks, Lake shores and Sea shore Management) Regulations, 2009.

The Government of Kenya supported by the World Bank through the Kenya Agricultural Productivity and Sustainable Land Management Project (KAPSLMP)[2],carried out the Land Degradation Assessment (LADA)[3]  in 2015 to assess the causes, extent and types of land degradation in Kenya.  Remote Sensing/GIS analyses were used to determine the extent of land degradation, the major determinants, the areas undergoing most serious land degradation and the severity of land degradation. Spatial analysis of the LULC changes showed an overall deterioration of vegetation cover over the last 20-year period. There was declining vegetation cover as depicted by NDVI, increasing bare lands, conversion of natural vegetation

into agricultural lands and soil erosion. Generally, agricultural/cultivated areas increased by 7.3% and bare lands increased by 2.6%. The lower levels of land degradation in the since 2000 also coincides with the policy change. The study showed at least 61% the total area of Kenya is at high risk of land degradation, while very high degradation affects 27% of the land. Land degradation is especially severe in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs)

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16. Nagoya Protocol on ABS


ABSCH-NR-KE-238637-1 Interim National Report on the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol (NR) for Kenya
  1. Kenya’s Contribution to the achievement of the Global target.

Kenya ratified the Nagoya Protocol on 7th April, 2014. The Nagoya Protocol is part of Kenyan law as per the constitution which states that every international agreement Kenya is a signatory to is law. The Traditional knowledge and Culture expression Act of 2016 was enacted. Further, the Environment Management and Coordination Act, EMCA 1999 was amended in 2015 with mainstream provisions related to access and benefit sharing of genetic resources in lien with the Nagoya Protocol.

Other relevant legal and policy instruments include:

  • The Science, Technology and Innovation Act 2013 recognizes traditional and indigenous knowledge as part of innovations.
  • National Museums and Heritage act

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry is the focal point organization and NEMA is the competent National Authority, Clearing-House and publishing authority for access and benefits sharing. The designated checkpoints are Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (KEPHIS), NACOSTI, State Department of Immigration and Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI). No person shall transfer any genetic resources outside Kenya unless such person has executed a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA). Regulation 19 requires that benefit sharing shall apply, subject to the laws in force relating to intellectual property rights. In Kenya, institutions responsible for intellectual property rights include the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI), the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO).Since ratification, the Government has issued one hundred and thirty (130) access permits for research and development.

Kenya is in the process of preparing reviced  regulations for conservation on biodiversity, access to genetic resources and benefit sharing to be aligned with the provisions of the Protocol and constitution 2010

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17. NBSAPs

  1. Kenya’s Contribution to the achievement of the Global target.

Kenya has developed the draft NBSAP 2019-2030. This will be updated based on the post 2020 framework. Baseline Review has been undertaken and stakeholder consultations undertaken.  The CHM has provided key resources for the implementation and review of the targets.  There have been various mainstreaming activities into key sectors

Although in the absence of an approved NBSAP, Kenya has put in place sectoral policies and legal frameworks within the reporting period 2010-2020 for implementation of the NBSAP. These include:

  •  Species Management Strategies,
  • The Community Land Act,
  • WCMA 2013 recognition of conservancies.
  • Revised EMCA 2015-
  • Access to bio-resources toolkit,
  • Bioprospecting strategy within and outside protected area developed,
  • Masterplan for rehabilitation and restoration of water catchment areas
  • Fisheries Management and Development Act-2016
  • Forest Conservation and Management Act 2016
  • Forest Management Strategy
  • National Museums and Heritage Act
  • REDD+
  • Climate Change Act 2016
  • National Climate Change Action Plan
  • National Strategy for Achievement and Maintaining over 10% tree cover by 2022
  • National Environment Policy 2014
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18. Traditional knowledge

  1. Kenya’s Contribution to the achievement of the Global target.

The Constitution of Kenya 2010, in Article 11 on culture[1], states that

This Constitution recognizes culture as the foundation of the nation and as the cumulative civilization of the Kenyan people and nation.

The State shall—

  1. promote all forms of national and cultural expression through literature, the arts, traditional celebrations, science, communication, information, mass media, publications, libraries and other cultural heritage,
  2. recognize the role of science and indigenous technologies in the development of the nation; and
  3. promote the intellectual property rights of the people of Kenya

In response, the Traditional knowledge and Traditional Cultural expression Act of 2016 was enacted[2]. Under the Act, Kenya’s 47 counties are also charged with protection of traditional knowledge from misuse and misappropriation, among other roles. These include county governments working with the national government to establish mechanisms to prevent misappropriation, misuse or unlawful access and exploitation of traditional knowledge and cultural expression without prior consent. The Act also states that county governments are supposed to work with institutions such as KIPI, the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) and Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) in establishment and maintenance of a national repository for genetic resources, traditional knowledge and cultural expressions. The Ministry of Culture has established a task force to develop the roadmap for the implementation of the Act.

Before statutory intervention in 2016, Kenya had a National Policy on Traditional Knowledge, Genetic Resources and Traditional Cultural Expressions (“the Policy”) in 2009 which was in various aspects the forerunner to the statutory law to be discussed shortly. The Policy was aimed at laying the ground for a national framework that recognizes, preserves, protects and promotes sustainable use of traditional knowledge as well as the mainstreaming of traditional knowledge systems in view of national development targets.

The Presidential Task Force on Parastatal Reforms (2013) proposed that three Intellectual Property Rights agencies namely:  the Kenya  Industrial Property Institute (KIPI) , The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) and  the  Anti-Counterfeit Authority  (ACA) be merged  into one Government  Owned Entity (GOE). The Task

Force proposed that the GOE be named Intellectual Property Office of Kenya (IPOK) and has drafted Intellectual Property Office Bill, 2020 for establishing IPOK.[1]

The Kenya Wildlife Service is working with communities and farmers in conservation and protection of genetic resources and traditional knowledge to ensure their sustainable utilization and proper benefit-sharing schemes especially where their commercial exploitation is involved[2].

Other relevant policy and legal frameworks include the:

  • The Community Land Act, WCMA 2013 recognition of conservancies. EMCA 2015- Access to bio-resources
  • ST&I Science Technology and Innovation Act 2013- Provides for documentation of all traditional technologies of Kenya and ensures innovation encompasses IPLC PART 1:2d Recognition of TK as part of innovation
  • County Governments have established community protocols for accessing traditional knowledge.
  •  National Museums and Heritage act part 1 Section 4b, c the Act defines Natural heritage

Kenya’s access and benefit sharing toolkit for genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge-2014

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19. Biodiversity knowledge

  1. Kenya’s Contribution to the achievement of the Global target.

The integration of Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) in national productive processes was considered central to the success of the government’s policy priorities and Programmes outlined in Kenya Vision 2030. The capabilities of STI were, therefore, considered critical in ensuring sustainable development with natural resource management and disasters. Further, STI capabilities are to promote sustainable development, especially through social integration, conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity; sharing opportunities and benefits of a knowledge-based society and economy and strengthening local and indigenous knowledge and culture.[1]

The Natural Product Initiative was prioritized as one of the flagship projects of the Vision 2030 which aims to create an interface between indigenous knowledge and Science, Technology, Innovation and business expertise; spurring home-grown innovation culture and promote quality production and growth while developing Kenyan unique products that meet national and international standards. Under the MTP II, the National Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) supported the creation of enabling policy, legal, regulatory and institutional framework to ensure formal recognition and anchoring of natural products in the mainstream economy. Key success factors include harnessing of indigenous knowledge and related genetic resources; creation of a comprehensive inventory of ethno-botanical resources and building capacity for product discovery, improvement, development and commercialization capability with Government support and participation of private sector and individuals.

For policy reform under MTP III 2018-2022, proposals include development of the Natural Products Policy; National Intellectual Property Policy; National Innovation Policy; Indigenous knowledge and Technology Policy. The following bills will be reviewed and enacted: The Biosciences Bill; Kenya Institute of Nanotechnology Legal Framework; and Natural Products Bill.

On information sharing and management, there has been a concerted effort through various entities such as the project funded by the JRS Biodiversity Foundation on the development of Kenya's Biodiversity Atlas[2], an open access platform for hosting and supporting biodiversity data[3]. Other efforts were made through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) Biodiversity Information for Development (BID) Programme with the aim of increasing the amount of biodiversity data available about a country so as to respond to national priorities; and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development's (IGAD) Biodiversity Management Programme (BMP)[4], whose main objective was to establish biodiversity databases, build technical capacity and digitise biodiversity collections so as to generate a map of biodiversity and other key information products for the IGAD Region[5].  Kenya published 389,349 new occurrence records during 2019 out of a total of 305,637,165 occurrence records added globally to GBIF. The National Museums of Kenya, Kenya Wildlife Service and other institutions have published datasets with GBIF and a total of 31 articles since 2008[6]. There are specific data mobilization projects such as for butterflies[7]. Another project was

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  1. Other activities at the Global level

Kenya is participating in various GBIF projects:

  • GBIF Africa Nodes data mobilization, ecological niche modelling and data paper training and mentorship Capacity Enhancement Support Programme, 2015–2016 This project is centred on providing practical training on ecological niche modelling and the preparation of data papers to participants from up to 10 nodes in Africa using real datasets for threatened or invasive species to be published to the GBIF network. https://www.gbif.org/project/82204
  • Kenya’s other carnivores: harnessing biodiversity data for conservation BID: Biodiversity Information for Development, 2016–2017 This project mobilizes existing biodiversity data for 31 species of Kenya’s small carnivores to develop a national strategy for their conservation. https://www.gbif.org/project/82779
  • Mobilizing data on freshwater snails in Kenya BID: Biodiversity Information for Development, 2016–2017 This project is mining and will publish records of freshwater snails from existing voucher collections of the National Museums of Kenya and other research institutions. https://www.gbif.org/project/82725
  • Mobilizing biodiversity information from the Kenya Wildlife Service BID: Biodiversity Information for Development, 2016–2018 This project organizes biodiversity data collected in Kenya’s protected areas since the 1950’s. https://www.gbif.org/project/82706
  • Prioritizing conservation management in an East African forest landscape BID: Biodiversity Information for Development, 2017–2019 A Rocha Kenya, the National Museum of Kenya (NMK), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Animal Demography Unit of University of Cape Town (ADU), and the Arabuko- Sokoke Forest Guides Association (ASFGA) will access, assess, digitize, engage and improve the data for birds, mammals, invertebrates, reptiles and higher plants in order to inform the management of important, unique and threatened forest ecosystem. https://www.gbif.org/project/7EOzw96rgAoSKKUgYaoaCe
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20. Resource mobilization

  1. Kenya’s Contribution to the achievement of the Global target.

The National Treasury and Planning through the State Department for Planning in partnership with development partners and stakeholders, produces a Comprehensive Public Expenditure Review (CPER) report on a three-year period that is well researched to replace the annual public expenditure review. The second Comprehensive Public Expenditure Review (CPER) 2017[1] presented a comprehensive analysis of public expenditure during the first three years of devolution thereby linking expenditure to achievements while taking cognizance of cost of achieving the results. The CPER also assesses the extent to which expenditure addresses national and county level priorities in order to strengthen the link between policies, planning and budgeting. Consequently, it informs current and future expenditure and budget decisions and

A Biodiversity Public Expenditure and Budget Review is recommended to monitor and achieve this target.

Kenya has a structured coordination and dialogue platform with her partners for discussing national development priorities which includes development partners, private sector, civil society organizations and the philanthropists. Through the multi-stakeholder dialogue forums, all stakeholders are encouraged align their support to the Country’s Medium-Term Plans, with the current one having integrated the SDGs. Kenya now has a vibrant philanthropic organizations platform, the Kenya Philanthropy Forum, which has brought together over 40 philanthropic organizations with the objective of bringing coherence and championing alignment to the national development priorities and providing support towards the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Civil Society Organizations are also being encouraged to align the resources they receive to the national development agenda.

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Based on the progress made in implementing the Aichi target described in Section III, the contribution of Kenya in achieving the global Aichi Targets is presented for each target based on the template provided. Further, the relevant SDG Goals, targets and indicators have been elaborated for each target. Reference has been made to Kenya’s National SDG reports and Vision 2030 reports, amongst other sources to enhance coherence in reporting.

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Section V. Description of the national contribution to the achievement of the targets of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation

Kenya does not have national targets related to the GSPC Targets

Kenya has not established national targets but is implementing actions that contribute to the achievement of global targets.Kenya adopted the global targets for Plant Conservation, resulting in many Programmes and projects undertaken by key institutions such as the National Museums of Kenya, Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization, and Kenya Forest Research Institute, among others addressing Target 1-16. A summary is presented on some of the relevant actions under this section.

Please provide details on the specific targets below:

  1. The country has undertaken commitments as reflected in the National Forest Programme 2016-2030 particularly under Strategy 8.3 on Natural Forest Management and Conservation Cluster. For purpose of conservation of biodiversity and provision of ecosystem services, no extractive utilization is permitted in all natural forests, also underpinned by the constitution 2010 (Article 69).   Importantly, protection of sensitive habitats and threatened plants against loss including private lands is anchored in the National Environment and Management Authority Act, 1999, review in 2015
  2. The East African Herbarium of the National Museums of Kenya is designated as the national repository for all plant-based collection preservation, which are key in establishing the floristic diversity and populations trends. The plant collection database informs species conservation status as well as environmental education to schools and colleges as well as the general public. Furthermore, the Kenya Forest Research Institute (KEFRI) also has various Programmes aiming at plant diversity conservation, restoration and habitat restoration (http://eaherbarium.museums.or.ke/)  (https://www.kefri.org/BEM.php)
  3. The IUCN /SSC Eastern Africa Plant Red List Authority (EAPRLA) is active in the region, including in Kenya. The EA herbarium actively participates in both the EAPRLA and) the Kenyan Chapter of the Society for Economic Botany. (http://oldsite.econbot.org/chapters/Kenya.html) Programmes. 

    The Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), the global botanic garden network, has established an office in Nairobi, Kenya. EAPRLA occasionally organises training workshops in plant conservation and conducts red-listing sessions; BGCI has delivers training courses to botanic gardens with the aim to improve networking between botanic gardens in Kenya. SEB organises annual workshops to create awareness of economic uses of plants and conservation approaches.

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The National Museums of Kenya, through the East African herbarium and Nairobi Botanic Gardens, has over the years continued to document and update the national flora diversity and assessment of plant species for conservation of the threatened taxa.

 It has also developed education and plant conservation awareness for the schools and universities as well as local communities to import the knowledge on the importance and threats facing plants. For example, every year over 6000 students from primary and tertiary institutions visit the Nairobi BG for environmental awareness. In the period, germplasm of over 800 plant species was collected and seeds banked for posterity in national and global gene banks (Millennium seed bank in the UK). Also working closely with other national botanic gardens and Kenya Forest Service as well as BGCI supports ex situ conservation of the threatened flora in situ and provides technical skills towards establishment of satellite gardens managed by other institutions and community members. Some of the recently established botanic gardens include JKUAT (medicinal and rare or endangered plants), Masai Mara University, Mt Kenya University and Marimanti BG (for dryland plant species), among others. 

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1. An online flora of all known plants

Progress towards target at national level but at an insufficient rate

Progress towards target at national level but at an insufficient rate.

Kenya, like the rest of the East African region, has one of the most comprehensive flora on the continent, which was completed in 2012 after 60 years of intensive revisions based on herbarium collection data

 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flora_of_Tropical_East_Africa;  https://phytokeys.pensoft.net/article/20531/).

The flora diversity and databases provide good basis for species conservation by providing actual species distribution and ecological requirement. For example, the species conservation assessments have been enhanced and red-listed species currently over 400 and 270 uploaded to the IUCN website used to strengthen protection of various forests.

 However, there are still major gaps in plant species collection as the earlier field explorations were based on accessibility and forests of economic or ecological interest. Specimen databases are also incomplete, and only 20 to 30 % complete. Species mapping and therefore conservation status through assessments becomes a challenge.

There have been efforts to expand protected areas through gazettement of forest areas as well as creation of community-conserved areas such as the community wildlife conservancies directly responding to Targets 4, 5 and 7. Despite the

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Kenya through the NMK’s East African herbarium has been involved in discovery and description of the plant diversity for over 100 years. Species descriptions and taxonomic review have been used to compile the Flora of Tropical East Africa (completed in 2012), which is among the first attempt to complete species description in the tropics. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flora_of_Tropical_East_Africa).

The FTEA describes over 7000 species occurring in Kenya and provides a major platform for further species discovery, their distribution and habitats as well as conservation indicators. For example, flora species diversity in the country in 2015 and 2016 (established not only key Important Plant Areas, but also field collection gaps.

 (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312046077_Kenya's_Natural_Capital_A_Biodiversity_Atlas)

Attempts are in place to upload the FTEA publications online as well as the ongoing review of the Flora of Kenya. Also, more than 25% (325000) of the 1.2. Million plant collections at EA has been digitized, with all the type specimens (3685 from EA herbarium) available in JSTOR platform supported through African Plants Initiative (https://about.jstor.org/whats-in-jstor/primary-sources/global-plants/)

Other earlier or ongoing database initiatives includes

14000 images and associated data digitized and can be accessed  (www.museums.or.ke/east-african-herbarium/).

Currently, the NMK’s EA herbarium is in collaboration with China to continue plant species exploration and description, and publication of the flora in both printed publications and online platform through the Flora of Kenya Programme. The FoK has collected large numbers of field and herbarium images that will ultimately be on-line, but this is a work in progress. (http://africa.chinadaily.com.cn/weekly/2017-06/09/content_29682826.htm)

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2. An assessment of the conservation status of all known plant species, as far as possible, to guide conservation action

Progress towards target at national level but at an insufficient rate

There are >1,300 plants of the more than 7000 vascular plant species occurring in Kenya with Red List assessments published on the IUCN Red List, 280 of which are threatened with extinction. Plant red listing efforts in the country are led by the IUCN / SSC Eastern Africa Plant Red List Authority (EAPRLA). The EAPRLA organises species conservation assessment workshops once or twice every year since 2006. Efforts to ensure that these are published on the IUCN Red List are ongoing, with the aim of having all assessments carried out by EAPRLA published online by the end of 2020.

A joint workshop between EAPRLA and the IUCN / SSC Global Tree Specialist Group was carried out in 2018 as part of the Global Tree Assessment, to ensure conservation assessments were in place for all endemic Kenyan tree species. Tree red List assessments are currently being used for conservation planning, using the Assess2Plan approach.

There is a new initiative, with support from the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), to produce a National Red List for Kenya, including plants, but funding has not yet been raised.

The IUCN data of the red listed species has become the standard for supporting biodiversity impact assessments within or outside protected areas. Major development projects in Kenya where EIA’s actively utilized IUCN data includes oil exploration in Turkana basin and Lamu county titanium mining at Kwale county among others. These ensures restoration of the threatened species in case of the developmental impact

EN

3. Information, research and associated outputs, and methods necessary to implement the Strategy developed and shared

Progress towards target at national level but at an insufficient rate

As demonstrated in Target 1 and 2 above, the country’s plant flora is relatively well described and over 25 % of the EA herbarium specimens databased, with most of the achievements realized in the last 20 to 30 years. However, the flora is based on old collections due paucity of resources, inadequate taxonomic skills and infrastructure challenges. Major gaps still exist in terms of species exploration and description where species population trends are hardly known

 

The above notwithstanding, over 25 species described in the last five years-2015-2020 and digitize all the herbarium specimens to support taxonomy, education and conservation. (see( State of Environment report, NEMA 2018) At the same time, conservation Programmes have supported in situ (forests) and ex situ conservation (botanic gardens and seed banks) of the threatened flora through collection and long-term banking of orthodox seeds as well as propagation to re-introduce propagules to suitable or depleted habitats. Some of the species restored include Gigasiphon macrosiphon and Euphorbia tanaensis. Also, many succulents (e.g. aloes and orchids) have been conserved.

Importantly, technology innovations have been established by establishing plant species propagation protocols and creating awareness for restoration, domestication and sustainable utilization. Case studies include aloes.

 

EN

4. At least 15 per cent of each ecological region or vegetation type secured through effective management and/or restoration

Kenya’s key forest or vegetation types include mangroves, coastal forests, Acacia-Commiphora woodlands, Combretum wooded grasslands and evergreen grasslands, Afromontane forests and lowland rain forests. At least protected forests are distributed in all these vegetation-ecological zones and that wetlands/riparian ecosystems protected against exploitation. The Protected areas cover >17% of the land area which offer maximum protection to ecologically important areas. Furthermore, increasingly more area has been placed under some form of protection such as the “Community-Conserved Areas” such as the community wildlife conservancies. Good cases include formation of conservancies in Laikipia and Samburu counties.  However, forests in lowland rainforests such as Kakamega may have less than 15% of the potential vegetation type.

EN

5. At least 75 per cent of the most important areas for plant diversity of each ecological region protected with effective management in place for conserving plants and their genetic diversity

KFS/SECTION IV

EN

Although official Important Plant Areas for Kenya are still not very clear, recent analysis of the Kenya’s Natural Capital established various plant diversity hotspots including coastal forests, afromontane regions, mid-altitude/inselbergs and hilltops as major plant areas. Approximately, 45 % of these areas are within protected areas. Majority of Kenya’s pprotected forests are located in areas of high plant diversity that have proper management systems in place. According to the legislative instruments (Forest Conservation and Management Act 2016, Wildlife Conservation and Management Ac 2013) all protected areas must have a management plan to guide activities. The protected areas cover some of the key centres of plant diversity such as the Mt. Kenya Forest Reserve/Mt. Kenya National Park, Kakamega forest reserve/Kakamega national park, Arabuko Sokoke forest, the Kaya forests, Mt. Marsabit forest reserve, Boni forest reserve and several others.

 

Areas outsides protected areas are facing degradation pressure, but some protection is ensured through awareness of community conservation groups as well as county government environment Programmes as envisaged in constitution 2010, article 69.

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6. At least 75 per cent of production lands in each sector managed sustainably, consistent with the conservation of plant diversity

KFS/CBD  Aichi target 7 SECTION IV



EN

The gazetted forest reserves cover >2.59 million hectares out of which 135,000ha are used for production of timber as exotic plantations which constitutes ≈5.2%. The country thus dedicates the natural forests for conservation. In addition, the KFS has been working closely with the County Governments that are now responsible for providing forest extension services to ensure that farm forestry is promoted to ensure that farmers maintain tree/plant cover on their farms as well as creating awareness on the requirement (10% tree cover) of the Farm Forestry rules of 2009.

EN

7. At least 75 per cent of known threatened plant species conserved in situ

Progress towards target at national level but at an insufficient rate

A National Key Biodiversity Area committee has been established recently in Kenya and largely will review existing approaches to standardise them in accepting other biodiversity initially not recognised in the existing 67 Important Bird Areas (https://issuu.com/nature_kenya/docs/2017_iba_report_final).

Furthermore, all threatened plant species are conserved through the policy of no extractive utilization of natural forests. In addition, there have been active protection of species such as the East African Sandalwood through patrols and also encouraging community members to conserve and propagate on their farms. Unfortunately, a good number of threatened species occur outside protected areas (estimated up to 60 %) and continue to face increasing anthropogenic related pressures in the face of climate change

 (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312046077_Kenya's_Natural_Capital_A_Biodiversity_Atlas). Some of the threatened species (estimated 55 %) have some populations in protected areas, but a number of their distribution outside protected areas. Efforts have been made to strengthen protection of protected high biodiversity distribution zones such as coastal forests and eastern Afromontane of Cherengani hills, Kakamega and Nandi hills forest. These has been achieved through collaboration of national government agencies in collaboration with civil society and local communities. (http://blog.arocha.or.ke/communities-conservation/dakatcha-woodland-our-forest-our-future/

, https://naturekenya.org/2017/04/28/dakatcha-woodland-iba-in-focus/

,https://www.ke.undp.org/content/kenya/en/home/operations/projects/environment_and_energy/Montane-forest.html).

EN

8. At least 75 per cent of threatened plant species in ex situ collections, preferably in the country of origin, and at least 20 per cent available for recovery and restoration programmes

Progress towards target at national level but at an insufficient rate

Botanic gardens in Kenya hold living plant collections of native and threatened Kenyan plant species. Over the period, several botanic gardens were established including Marimanti drylands (Tharaka Nithi County),

Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology (37 ha for medicinal plants and endangered species, http://www.jkuat.ac.ke/botanical-garden/), Masai Mara University, Mt Kenya University, National Museums of Kenya’s restoration of Kitale BG (20 ha), rehabilitation of Muliro Gardens in Kakamega, Mazeras BG restored by County Government in Kilifi. This is besides the other existing botanic gardens

 

Current efforts to add Kenyan assessments to the IUCN Red List of Species will enable a better measure of the number and percentage of threatened Kenyan species that are held in ex situ collections. About 460 plant species are threatened in Kenya, where 270 are in the IUCN Red List and 65 (23%) reported as represented in ex situ collections globally, according to BGCI’s PlantSearch database. 

In addition, Brackenhurst Botanic Garden is a member of the Ecological Restoration Alliance of Botanic Gardens. This garden is situated just outside of Nairobi and has established >20ha of restored indigenous forest, incorporating threatened species into restoration plots and plantings on the compound.

Various restoration and rehabilitation effort in the country targeted threatened species. Some of these include Mau forest complex, Gongoni forest and Diani by KFS and Base Titanium site near Diani, Nairobi City Park, Karura forest (http://www.friendsofkarura.org/karuraforestbiodiversity/)

 Taita Hills forests by NMK, Nature Kenya, KEFRI

(http://www.easternarc.or.tz/groups/webcontent/documents/pdf/CEPF_Ghent_Taita_Hills_final_report.pdf) among others.

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9. 70 per cent of the genetic diversity of crops including their wild relatives and other socio-economically valuable plant species conserved, while respecting, preserving and maintaining associated indigenous and local knowledge

This has been covered extensively by KALRO-GERRI in SECTION IV /CBD AICHI TARGET 13.

EN

10. Effective management plans in place to prevent new biological invasions and to manage important areas for plant diversity that are invaded

Every protected area has a management plan (5-year period) as required by law that provides guidance to management activities including invasive species management (Also refer to CBD’s Aichi Target 9). Major alien invasive species include Cuscuta campestris (field dodder), Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth), Prosopis juliflora, among others, as well as encroachers.  Also, importation of any plant material to the country requires a permit from the Kenya Plant health inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), and if for cultivation Environmental Impact Assessments are undertaken for certification (e.g. introduction of Brachiaria grass varieties from Brazil https://www.farmlinkkenya.com/brachiariawondermulato-grass-production-guide/).

Specific departments in KWS and KFS have been established to map. Monitor and where necessary control invasive species (e.g. a number of national parks such L. Nakuru and Tsavo National Park). Importantly the list of national Alien Invasive Species has been developed and monitoring policy developed

 

EN

11. No species of wild flora endangered by international trade

The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013 provides that all wildlife in the country is generally protected and any access and use is subject to a permit issuance. Trade in specimens of plants is therefore regulated through Permits. Species that are endangered and are provided international protection through international instruments such as CITES are therefore traded under CITES Permits. Non-CITES listed species are traded using National (Non-CITES) Permits

(http://www.kws.go.ke/content/cites-implementation-department).

As such, at all border points, the government has a team comprised of all regulatory agencies to manage movement of products. In this team are Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service, Custom Department, Police and others.

To enhance accurate identification of plant species especially those regularly traded the two CITES Authorities for the country-KFS, NMK, and KWS through local and international partnerships and collaborations continue to deploy DNA technology as a modern tool for species identification thus enhancing species trade controls

  (https://sites.nationalacademies.org/cs/groups/pgasite/documents/webpage/pga_188570.pdf; https://sites.nationalacademies.org/cs/groups/pgasite/documents/webpage/pga_188570.pdf).

 

Use of DNA Barcode help in identification of some plant species which are traded in powder form and otherwise concealed as plants which are not listed in CITES. This has been very useful in dealing with trade in the East African Sandalwood (Osyris lanceolata) and Rosewood (Dalbergia sp) among others.

Undertaking  Non-Detriment Finding studies on the internationally traded plant species occurring in the country is considered a critical step  in determining the acceptable levels of harvesting (including harvesting quota setting) to inform decision on granting trade approvals and permits for plant specimens. Also, the method is used to evaluate conservation status of a traded species and where thresholds are overstretched a species is presented for protection under CITES during the COP meeting. An example is Osyris lanceolata which was successfully listed under appendix II during CoP 16 and adopted in CoP 17

 (https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/cop/17/WorkingDocs/E-CoP17-65.pdf).

Currently data gathering ongoing to assess possibility of enlisting the frankincense Commiphora and Boswellia species under CITES due to observed over-exploitation for trade against continued population declines (https://cites.org/eng/com/pc/25/index.php).

Another case involved listing of all Dalbergia species as the main species D. melanoxylon was highly traded but concealed as other Dalbergia species.

As a Party to the CITES Convention, Kenya regularly provides national reporting on trade in CITES listed species. A national database is maintained on all trade permits issued on both CITES listed and NON-CITES listed plant species.

EN

12. All wild harvested plant-based products sourced sustainably

Offering training on sustainable harvesting of plants especially to herbal medical practitioners as well as domestication of such plants.

EN

13. Indigenous and local knowledge innovations and practices associated with plant resources maintained or increased, as appropriate, to support customary use, sustainable livelihoods, local food security and health care

Refer  to section on CBD’s Aichi target 13.

The use of Indigenous knowledge has been recognized not only in species discovery and species conservation, but also as a resource in leveraging sustainable utilization of these vulnerable resources to promote climate smart indigenous crops in support of people’s nutrition or food security and primary health care. Through EA herbarium (Economic Botany) and KENRIK, the NMK continue to document traditional uses of plants and promote sustainable utilization and technology transfer. KENRIK has advanced documentation of useful vegetables and mapping of useful food sources of plants at the coastal counties

These is achieved through documentation of IK and plant in use, demonstration of identification and conservation technologies including establishing herbal gardens involving schools and community associations. Also to promote nature based -enterprise using plants, the NMK has established a national flagship project on natural products (http://www.vision2030.go.ke/projects/?pj=224) and continue to partner with The Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health (TICAH) to create awareness of use and conservation of medicinal plants (http://ticahealth.org/)  TICAH supported establishment of a medicinal mini garden at the NMK.

Legal frameworks established over the period and with potential to promote IK and sustainable natural resource utilization includes the following laws and policies:

i.          Association of Traditional Healers registered under the Social Services department. However, the Kenyan Health Act, 2017, fails to integrate traditional medicine (https://www.theelephant.info/features/2018/12/28/doctors-without-orders-why-kenya-should-give-traditional-medicine-and-healers-a-chance/)

ii.         The Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Expressions Act no 33 of 2016, which seeks to enable communities to control the use of culturally significant and economically valuable knowledge and expressions. http://kenyalaw.org/kl/fileadmin/pdfdownloads/Acts/ProtectionofTraditionalKnowledgeandCulturalExpressionsAct_No33of2016.pdf

iii.        Effort to curb loss of traditional Knowledge as the driving force behind many ethnobotanical and culture-related projects carried out both at the research and higher learning institutions

iv.       The promotion of herbal garden establishment in every devolved unit coordinated through the Council of Governors office in Kenya.

Past and ongoing work on documentation and promotion of indigenous foods and medicinal plants at Kenya Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge KENRIK,  National Museums of Kenya  e.g. Project on Indigenous Foods by KENRIK: Indigenous Leafy Vegetables  Programme ; The Reload Project : Documentation of Indigenous meat  Preservation amongst the Borana  Marsabit County; & National Research Fund (NRF) Supported  Cancer Project Cancer Palliative Care by Traditional Health Practitioners (THPS)

Vision 2030:  THIRD MTP (2018 -2022) 

              Economic pillar: Programmes and Projects: Traditional High Value Crops Programme in ASALs

Traditional High Value Crops Programme: This Programme aims at improving farmers’ access to quality seeds and planting materials of drought tolerant traditional high value crops in the ASALs. This will be done through upscaling seed bulking and distribution in identified institutions and farmer groups. The Sector targets to provide 672 MT of high value crop seeds.

              Social Pillar: Natural; Products Industry Initiative (NPI) Indigenous Knowledge and Associated

Natural Product Industry (NPI) Initiative: The Programme seeks to add value to our indigenous knowledge and associated technologies through scientific validation and business expertise to generate locally derived products. Products under this initiative include nutritional, personal care, household care, pharmaceuticals, organic fertilizers and ethno-veterinary.


EN

14. The importance of plant diversity and the need for its conservation incorporated into communication, education and public awareness programmes

15. The number of trained people working with appropriate facilities sufficient according to national needs, to achieve the targets of this Strategy

Kenyan institutions including the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), the National Museums of Kenya (NMK), Kenya Forest Service (KFS), TICHA, African Forest, Brackenhurst Botanic Garden, and Kivukoni Indigenous Tree Nursery have delivered training courses in partnership with Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) including on seed collection, botanic garden management and forest restoration.

Over 70 percent of the 31 public and 9 private universities in Kenya universities as well as many technical colleagues they offer biological related courses including plant sciences and environment. All the biology students estimated to be more than 5000 annually undergoes a mandatory attachment in research institutions. The government has also introduced internships for new graduates in various research institutions to advance botanical knowledge.

EN

16. Institutions, networks and partnerships for plant conservation established or strengthened at national, regional and international levels to achieve the targets of this Strategy

Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), the global botanic garden network, has an office in Nairobi, Kenya. BGCI has conducted training courses for botanic gardens in Kenya with the aim to build capacity and improving networking among the country’s botanic gardens. Representatives from botanic gardens across East Africa have been invited to workshops in Kenya, and representatives from botanic gardens in Kenya have helped deliver training during workshops in Uganda and Tanzania. Although a formal country or regional-level network is not in place, connections between botanic gardens in the region have improved.

Nature Kenya’s various biodiversity committees consists of Plant Committee, Seasonal wetland biodiversity in Nairobi (Nairobi national Park) and Succulenta are involved in training young botanists through plant walks and species monitoring (

).

EN

Section VI. Description of the national contribution to the achievement of the targets of indigenous peoples and local communities

  1. Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs)have been having different activities in their different levels to reach out among themselves in the awareness of Biodiversity and a number of communities have increased in working collaboration. Trainings on awareness in conserving and protecting biodiversity in both the forest areas and within their own community and individual lands.
  2. There has been exchange visits in different counties which has motivated this work to upscale and more communities getting involved. Communities from Transmara, lolgorian and Ololulunga visited Chebareria and Naramam of West Pokot County. Later all the counties mention plus Marsabit visited Transmara of Narok.  The groups from Narok, West Pokot, Samburu visited Marsabit to see the dry land biodiversity .Out of this awareness the is an increased-on awareness and right now many of those groups who are majority women groups do exchange seeds of different kinds from medicinal, fruit and other traditional plants that are ceremonial . These activities have also attracted the communities in Uganda and Tanzania
  3. In the Kenya region, indigenous peoples and local communities have been working collectively together with other key players like the focal points of both the Nagoya protocol and the CBD this started as early as 20-05 and up to date the communities have been following the processes learning and sharing through the ABS African initiative which has focused a lot on the Nagoya protocol. several trainings have been organized in different places in Africa with the focal points and also with IPLCs alone training further on traditional knowledge, communication and intellectual property rights. this has advanced by the same going to the international level where Kenya in all these processes have been attending representatives from different community based and NGOs working of the convention. the latest was one held in Rome the 2nd working group on post 2020 global biodiversity framework. luckily indigenous information network has been working and attending all the process without fail since the 90s. There has been also in Kenya, exchange and trainings on the same in different counties Laikipia, Kakamega, and Baringo coordinated by KWS funded by GIZ and UNEP
  4. There is need  for the country to be supported to continue working with different key players  not only in Kenya but cross boarder as there is need to focus on cross border biodiversity which is being used without and clear records on the use and the benefits for example Mt Elgon areas, Namanga, Maasai Mara in Marsabit and other areas.
  5. There is also need for the Government to work closely with NGOs and community-based organizations working on Biodiversity and Forestry and try to have the linkages , Different ministries and departments need to work together) a lot of good work is happening out there but there are no linkages
  6. KWs has been running different activities under the Nagoya Protocol working with NEMA, KIPI and Universities such as UoN and Jomo Kenyatta as well as  some counties( Laikipia, Kakamega, Baringo  and Kajiado).
  7. Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in Kenya continue playing a crucial role in ensuring that they are conserve and collectively share together on the different knowledge they have gathered in both planting protecting indigenous plants and biodiversity found in their lands. Despite the challenges of both climate change and to large extend the deforestation, restoration activities are going on among the communities. This is being discussed at all levels, local national, regional and international
  8. Knowledge is being shared among the communities at all levels, IIN has been undertaking trainings on different conservation strategies and traditional knowledge with a focus on Biodiversity conservation and at the same time helping communities establish knowledge centres that will help in learning and sharing different information materials to both the communities and other stakeholders. IIN encourages then communities exchange and information sharing on the media radio and social media.
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Section VII. Updated biodiversity country profile

Status and trends of biodiversity, including benefits from biodiversity and ecosystem services and functions:

Kenya is a mega bio-diverse country with over 35,000 species of flora and fauna. This diversity is served by the variable ecosystems ranging from marine, mountains, tropical, dry lands, forests and arid lands. In addition to some inland lake and wetland habitats covering about 2.5% of the total area. In the rainy season, the land area under wetlands doubles in size, as seasonal wetland fill with water. Kenyan forests are endowed with a rich array of plant and animal life. Some of the species endemic to the forest habitats are found nowhere else in the world. Although the biodiversity of Kenya remains highly protected, there are many unprotected areas that are causing its status to quickly decline due to a number of threats that have led to numerous conservation challenges

Kenya Biodiversity is mainly in forests and wildlife parks and reserves. According to reports, about 10-12 percent of Kenya’s land area is designated protected area and the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) manages about 8% of this area. 20% of the land area is under agriculture and also simultaneously supports most of the human population. The remaining 70% of the land area is mostly rangelands, 11% of which are wildlife and marine conservancies. Forests are the backbone of Kenya’s economy through agriculture and tourism. They also support livelihoods through the provision of food, medicine, wood for construction and fuel, and services such as water catchment areas. They perform important watershed functions, in addition to providing sites for high plant and animal biodiversity. The Kenyan coastal forests, though small, are rich in plant diversity and endemism. The hills are reported to be the richest area for plant species in the country. In the western part of the country, the Kakamega and Nandi forests are rich in biodiversity.

Freshwater and saline ecosystems cover about 8% of Kenya’s surface area.  Kenyan coastal coral reefs are high in biodiversity and tourism features (especially diving). In Kenya, inland waters occur everywhere and are a particular part of all landscapes. Lake Victoria produces 90% of Kenya’s total catch and sustains nearly half of the country’s population. Plant and animal species associated with inland freshwater wetlands are unique and highly specialized. In fact, some wetlands, especially in the extensive semi-arid parts of Kenya, provide the last refuge for rare and threatened species.

EN

Main pressures on and drivers of change to biodiversity (direct and indirect):

The major threats to biological diversity in Kenya can be defined as: high population pressure; poverty and resource use conflicts land use practices; inadequate laws, policies and institutional framework; inadequate awareness and involvement of the community. Rapid human population growth, land and forest degradation as well as fragmentation threaten biodiversity and may cause in extreme cases, species extinction. Fragmentation alters habitats from a previous state of greater continuity, stability and harmony. The resultant patches or populations are eventually isolated from one another by highly modified or degraded landscape, thus disrupting populations. Many plant and animal species populations have suffered due to this, other threats are invasive species (e.g. Nile perch and water hyacinth in Lake Victoria), land degradation and pollution, occasioned by poor land use practices. In addition, the tourism industry is encroaching on the fragile marine and coastal areas with the development of new hotels and access infrastructure.

 Lack of a comprehensive and clear land policy has led to land adjudication into fragile ecosystems    with rich biodiversity (e.g. forest reserves, wetland areas) where no buffer zones exist for mitigating the effects of nearby development. Moreover, the narrow genetic base of the country’s biological resources that is found only in a few plant and animal species have put entire ecosystems and their biological diversity in danger of being overexploited, thus exposing entire ecosystems to degradation.

 

Climate change is increasingly contributing to biodiversity degradation on Kenya’s coast composed of fragile forest and grassland ecosystems which more frequently experience mild to severe drought. Actions are not yet underway to mitigate the effects of climate change; consequently, both the biodiversity and communities remain vulnerable.

Responsibility for biodiversity is spread across many institutions, ranging from national and county governments to private landowners, local communities and NGOs. Several institutional and policy barriers impede the conservation of biodiversity. Foremost is the lack of a coherent integrated conservation policy that unifies dispersed and often conflicting legislation and policies in different

sectors. Other institutional barriers and impediments include lack of technical expertise, planning and funding. There are many other causes of biodiversity loss that vary widely among species. For example, cultural attitudes about nature and species differ and have a strong bearing on the status of species and biodiversity.

EN

Measures to enhance implementation of the Convention

Implementation of the NBSAP:

Kenya continuous to implement various interventions to tackle biodiversity loss. They range from environmental policies and legislation, community involvement, national biodiversity assessment and documentation, sustainable management and conservation of biodiversity including fair and equitable benefit-sharing. As well as technical and scientific research support, information dissemination, and capacity-building and integrated national planning for development. The efforts and strategies employed to preserve the threatened areas, human livelihoods and the threatened species and to reverse the loss of biodiversity, indirectly address challenges that result from human activities responsible for biodiversity loss and environmental change.

The government is committed to identifying conservation priorities, addressing environmental threats and bolstering national and county level administration. For instance, it has bolstered private sector and voluntary conservation initiatives, melding environmental conservation into national development plans and the promotion of human wellbeing. The Campaign for Nature, in the cited 2020 super year for nature and biodiversity is helping to spearhead an ambitious drive to protect 30% of Kenya’s land and seascapes.

Reviewed and updated  Kenya’s NBSAP with clear biodiversity targets ;  ensured and maintained  a high quality environment for sustainable livelihoods for all Kenyans to  guarantee inter- and intra-generational sustainable use of natural resources and services; to maintain ecological and ecosystem processes; to preserve and benefit from genetic resources and biological diversity in the nation’s ecosystems and to preserve their cultural value. However, there is a need to effectively implement and provide financial support for its implementation together with the post 2020 framework for Biodiversity including Sustainable development Goals,

Overall actions taken to contribute to the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020:

There are good efforts being taken by the Kenyan Government, through the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), to conduct research on marine and coastal ecosystems to provide the necessary data for implementing conservation programs for this rich biodiversity. The KMFRI has mapped out the commercial fishing grounds in the national sector. At the moment, pilot studies and demonstrations are being conducted on better methods to culture oysters and the Brine shrimp (Artemia) at the Kenyan coast to enhance economic gains, rather than re-stock the coastal waters with such species.

However, in spite of the collaboration that exists among the KMFRI, University of Brussels, Coast Development Authority and some local NGOs, little progress has been made in this venture. The KMFRI has however made great strides towards understanding the causes of the massive fish kills that occur in Lake Victoria and establishing the status of rare and endangered fish species; they have also been cultured and released into Lake Victoria with the aim to restore the lake’s biodiversity. Also, recent findings of the KMFRI reveal that the fish stocks of Lake Baringo show both a suitable and profitable fishery, through a combination of closed and open fishing seasons which is a result of the lake being located in an arid zone. However, in Lake Naivasha and Lake Victoria, there is increasing pressure on fish resources, due to overfishing and increasing pollution loading, hence the continued desire to promote aquaculture in the country.

 The key players in regard to in situ conservation of indigenous forest resources are the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), although the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) is the main agency concerned with in situ conservation and management of indigenous forests. NMK responsible for preservation of crop wild relatives at the East African herbarium in Nairobi.  However KALRO conserves crop cultivars in most of the satellite branches across the country. Due to lack of regular and adequate funding, this activity is still far from being complete as a number of species are yet to be addressed. Further, the Kenya Forestry Seed Centre (KFSC) was established with the goal to provide certified, high-quality tree seed in sufficient quantities to meet the rising demand. Seed collection is carried out by a network of 8 collection centres distributed in all ecological zones of Kenya; the Centre’s trained tree climbers are supervised by experienced foresters. Each seed lot is comprehensively documented with data which are maintained in a computerized database that has been locally designed.

Since the 1990s, Lake Victoria has been invaded by an exotic, prolific and noxious weed – the water hyacinth (Eicchornia crassipes) – whose management has posed a great challenge to both the scientific community and regional governments. In the meantime, this weed has caused serious ecological changes in the lake and impediments to livelihoods and development initiatives in the region. During the implementation of the first Lake Victoria Environment Management Programme (LVEMP I), much attention was placed on the management of the weed using integrated techniques that involved manual, mechanical and biological control. A biological control method proved to be the most successful and cheapest approach to deal with the weed. There is however a major challenge in regard to ecological succession and the resurgence of the weed following the end of LVEMP I, and because LVEMP II has not yet begun. Kenya has declared water hyacinth a national disaster and outlawed its transport and use in any way.

Further, the country has been aggressively promoting and strengthening national Programmes dealing with population control so as to achieve sustainable population growth rates and minimize adverse effects on biodiversity. Evidence points to the fact that Kenya’s population growth has indeed declined over the last decade

Support mechanisms for national implementation (legislation, funding, capacity-building, coordination, mainstreaming, etc.):

A number of policies and institutions exist in to support NBSAP implementation and beyond. One example is the Forestry Master Plan (1995-2020) which contains various implementation strategies that target the conservation of indigenous forests and their biodiversity; particular attention is given to habitats of high biodiversity and endemism and priority areas for conservation, including wetlands (especially seasonal wetlands), forests, highland grasslands and natural areas near large urban areas. The Forest Act (revised in 2005) addresses reservation, protection, management, enforcement and utilization of forests and forest resources on Government land. Other pieces of applicable legislation include the climate change Act , wildlife  act , Energy Act Water Act, Fisheries Act, Fisheries development na d management  Act, as well as the Intellectual Properties Rights Act that recognizes local knowledge and the rights of communities to genetic resources and to benefits derived from tourism in their areas.

Although ESD and sector specific strategies have been developed for mainstreaming biodiversity conservation into the education sector, there is a lack of biodiversity mainstreaming in other sectors. The country has inadequate environmental and biodiversity-related laws, policies and instructional frameworks as well as overall political instability. Although at present national environment management matters cut across various agencies, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) is charged with the coordination and establishment of an appropriate legal and institutional framework for the management and conservation of biological diversity. However, conservation of plant genetic resources (PGRs) in Kenya is mostly uncoordinated and largely donor-funded with a timeframe that is not long enough to sustain the process.

A notable Kenyan example is the establishment of conservancies. The conservancies protect important biodiversity hotspots, their ecology and habitats, by applying science principles and smart partnerships. These partners include local communities, businesses, multilateral institutions and not-for-profit organizations. Furthermore, many development programs are now required to undertake environmental Impact Assessment, SEA   including environmental Audit before they commence so as to provide environmental safeguards.

 

Environmental education, both formal and informal, is vital to changing people’s attitude to appreciate environmental concerns. Formal environmental education is important in increasing awareness, improving extension services, sensitizing people on environmental issues and building institutional capacities. Non-formal environmental education benefits people outside the formal education system. It empowers the public to develop a strong sense of responsibility on environmental issues. Environmental programs taking place on the ground are led by the government, civil society organizations as well as indigenous communities. These activities include raising awareness, providing capacities and skills, and empowering people and communities to create more sustainable futures.

Overall, being a party to the CBD, has improved the financial, human, scientific, technical and technological capacities of Kenya to implement the Convention, but more still needs to be done in the area of technology transfer and material transfer agreements.

Mechanisms for monitoring and reviewing implementation

Environmental monitoring has not progressed well making it difficult to adequately provide accurate information on the status of biodiversity in the country.

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