| By Alex Ngari, Programme Coordinator EAWLS
The East African Wild Life Society (EAWLS) is supporting citizens empowerment in four priority counties to enable them take their rightful position in the governance of counties with regard to natural resources management. Through this initiative which started in 2012, people in the four counties namely Samburu, Nakuru, Kwale and Laikipia have formed stakeholder-based networks or forums with interest in natural resources subsector of their counties. Since the formation of the networks last year, it is evident that the natural resources subject is a key issue in the development of counties. The public is very much alive to the fact that their lives are intertwined with the natural resources not only those of their county but also those from distant counties. Their concerns are, therefore, founded when they are keen to develop an account of what they consider as big concerns as far as natural resource development is concerned ahead of county governments that are operational.
Armed with an account of challenges facing the natural resource development in their areas and a shared vision of what they would want the situation to be, they were determined to make their intentions known to the targeted leaders who would be in a position to contribute to addressing the identified problems. First on target were the governors and senators. The forums were determined to make their case known even before the politicians were elected and assumed offices.
The matters of natural wealth are usually weighty and were being directed to a section of leaders who are known to be slippery when it comes to such issues in Kenya. But generally, politicians will use all kinds of tricks and maneuvers to get their way out, including, just being away from a seemingly hot event or episode. So they dodge, dance, cause laughter, cajole just to endear themselves to the electorate as well as cool tempers. In February 2013, both Laikipia and Kwale forums were able to host would-be elected political leaders vying for both national and county seats. It was time for the forums to be categorical on what vision they had for a sustainable county. Once the forums were done, it was the turn of aspiring political leaders to speak out and commit themselves to what they would do once they were elected.
The Promises & Commitments
In both counties the promises were juicy and tasty to the people because most of them touched on what the forum’s members wanted their leaders to commit themselves to. In Kwale county, Mr. Nicholas Nzani, a senatorial aspirant promised that once elected he would advocate for 20% royalty from the mining of Kwale County’s Natural Resource to the county which will be used for development of the county, support laws and policies on sustainable use of Natural Resources, be a mouth piece for the communities of the county and pursue title deeds for Kaya forests, to wade off land grabbers, look into Carbon markets, (citing Gazi as a potential site), support passing of a law to promote access of information as a way of empowering the public, hence, better decision making and participation among other very good-to-hear things. On his part Mr. Nyanje, a gubernatorial aspirant indicated that once elected he would promote proper cost benefit analysis on development programmes and projects, work to ensure that better decision making was achieved by involving the public among other commitments which would ensure sustainability.
In Laikipia Mr. Joshua Irungu a gubernatorial aspirant, had the following promises: uphold his passion about community based approach to conservation, ensure all the natural resources within Laikipia County are properly managed for the benefit of all, reduce household usage of wood fuel as the main source of cooking energy by 50%, promote farm forestry by ensuring that 10% of every farm has trees, take advantage of carbon credit trade to benefit people and the environment, ensure trickle down of revenue to communities, cooperate and work together with the Laikipia County Natural Resource Network. Mr. Mathenge who was vying for the senatorial seats promised that he would lead in formulation of laws that addressed the conservation and protection of natural resources in the county among other commitments. Other aspirants who attended the Laikipia meeting were: David Koskei, Munene Mwai, Jeremiah Lemiruni, Jane Putunoi and John Etir Eleman.
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 16 May 2013 16:49 ) |
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| By Jackson Bambo, Kenya Forests Working Group (KFWG)
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Hon. Dr. Noah Wekesa planting a tree in Ngong Road forest to mark the 1st International
Day of forest . |
On 21st March 2013, Kenya Forests Working Group joined other stakeholders in celebrating the 1st International Day of Forests dubbed: towards 10% national tree cover which will be marked on 21st March of every year. In Kenya the event took place at Ngong Road forest, Nairobi. It was co-organized by the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, Kenya Forest Service (KFS), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and other United Nations organizations. The guest of honour during the event was the former Minister for Forestry and Wildlife, Hon. Dr. Noah Wekesa.
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Dr. Kalua, of Kenya Water Towers Agency plants a tree at Ngong Road Forest |
This event is meant to celebrate forests because they enhance our lives; forests truly are something to celebrate. They offer habitat for a myriad wildlife, contribute to forest-based economies through the provision of a wide array of goods and services, an assortment of recreation opportunities and, best of all, they provide us with opportunities to connect with the natural world. Understanding the many benefits which we gain from forests and the major roles they play in maintaining a healthy society is an essential first step towards building a sustainable future.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21st March the International Day of Forests. The Day will now be celebrated annually to raise awareness on the importance of all types of forests. On each International Day of Forests, countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns.
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| Jackson Bambo of KFWG plants a tree to mark World Forest Day at Ngong Road Forest. |
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 16 May 2013 16:54 ) |
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| By Agatha Ogada and Nassir Amiyo
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The Shimoni BMU and Boardwalk members verifying one of the sites they identified for crab
farming at Wasini Island |
In February 2013, the East African Wild Life Society (EAWLS) and Fauna and Flora International (FFI) with expertise from KWETU Training Centre embarked on a three-day mariculture site selection mission in Shimoni – Majoreni area. Selected Beach Management Unit (BMU) members from Shimoni, Mkwiro, Wasini, Kibuyuni and Majoreni villages had previously been trained on mariculture at KWETU Centre last year. As part of their training, the group was asked to identify potential mariculture sites in their respective villages. Four potential sites were identified; a cage culture site for Mkwiro, crab-fattening site for Wasini and Kibuyuni. Majoreni, had the potential for fishponds, prawn and crab farming due to their expansive mud tidal flat.
This livelihood option will not only support sustainable use of the marine environment but also offer economic reprieve to the communities owing to high monetary value and ready market of mariculture products. From an expert’s point of view, the success of the mariculture activities depends largely on commitment of the local people. According to Robert R. Stickney, Scientists believe that natural production from the ocean will not increase; consequently, if the demand for seafood by humans is to be met in the future, both mariculture and fresh-water aquaculture production will have to increase significantly. EAWLS in partnership with FFI recognized that livelihood diversification and realignment cannot be done overnight. Initial focus should be on tapping on the current livelihood options the communities are engaged in, whilst taking a longer-term approach to finding alternatives.
Kwetu Training Center is a local NGO in Kenya, formed in 1996, and is working hard to promote mariculture. It is a focal group of community initiatives working on various aspects of sustainable development. Kwetu’s Mangrove and Mariculture Department, at Mtwapa north of Mombasa, focuses on training and extension of mariculture to communities.
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Majoreni BMU members together with KWETU and EAWLS staff undertaking basic soil
profile verification at one potential fish pond site. |
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 16 May 2013 17:46 ) |
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| By David Kuria, Tupande Pamoja
National Insurance Corporation (NIC) does it again! On 16th November, 2012, the Bank donated KShs One million to the Tupande Pamoja Initiative to plant seedlings in the extended portion of the Uplands forest in Lari. This follows another sponsorship of KShs 583,000 in 2009. The sponsorship by the Bank has seen more than 25 hectares planted with a variety of indigenous seedlings suitable for water catchment sites. Together with other forests of the Aberdares, Uplands forest supplies water to most of the neighboring communities as well as to Nairobi residents. Further, the forest is a highly visited site and has been a community asset which supplies other services including fuel wood, fodder and herbal medicines among others.
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| TOP & BELOW: NIC Bank at work. |
Last year’s occasion was spiced with some environmental games and dances. First, the NIC and East African Wild Life Society (EAWLS) staff formed teams with community members and competed in planting the maximum number of seedlings. The winning teams were rewarded with farm produce donated by the local farmers. The teams played a tag of war with the losing team serving the participants with snacks. Then, the team leaders gave short speeches which highlighted the need for more partnerships and follow up activities to ensure the seedlings planted grow to maturity.
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The support by NIC Bank has opened other opportunities for the community. By sustaining and ensuring that the trees grow to maturity, the community may benefit from the rapidly growing
carbon markets. Through the Tupande Pamoja initiative/facility, the community may be linked to the buyers of carbon who in turn will provide funds to see to it that they are monitored and taken care of for more than 10 years. This means that the community may benefit from a sustainable source of funds which in turn will enable this community to have improved basic necessities including education, clean water, housing, and food.
By buying seedlings from the community, the Bank has contributed to economic welfare of the local residents. Most of the residents have considered the support from the Bank and Tupande Pamoja as Christmas gifts while others have improved their household status.
| Tupande Pamoja is a joint initiative by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the East African Wild Life Society, Kenya Forests Working Group and Nature Kenya in collaboration with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). It aims at forging partnership between public / private corporations or institutions and local communities to rehabilitate Kenya’s forested water catchments. |
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 16 May 2013 17:28 ) |
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| By Catherine Yaa – Kenya Wetlands Forum/ East African Wild Life Society
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After a long battle since 2010, the prayers of representatives of fishermen, pastoralists, farmers and conservation groups in Tana Delta have finally been answered; the High Court ruled in their favor on a land case. On 4th February 2013, the high court ruled that land use development plans for the delta be evaluated and developed in full participation of local communities.
The communities had sued the Tana River County Council, Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (TARDA), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Commissioner of Lands, Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA) and the Attorney General as they sought to stop large-scale commercial developments in Tana Delta in the absence of a conservation development and conservation master plan.
Despite the fact that we need development, has it then become a problem? What does this mean for Kenyan communities, their livelihoods and our fragile ecosystems more so wetlands? There is a need to clearly understand that development is not the problem and no one is trying to stop it. However, there is need to undertake transparent, collaborative and accountable approaches to plan to avoid repeating past mistakes, ensuring that we uphold sustainability by respecting the rights of all stakeholders, the integrity and functionality of our ecosystems as well as the pieces of legislation that guide us nationally and internationally. Yes, as the saying goes failing to plan is planning to fail.
It’s a good thing that High Court Judge Lady Justice Mumbi Ngugi understands this only too well as she sees the need to have an agency oversee the development of the Tana River Delta. As planning is an important aspect she rules that short, medium and long term land use development plans for the Tana River Delta be developed with full participation of communities, government agencies and other relevant stakeholders. She makes sure not to conclude without leaving an assignment; TARDA are requested to share their short and long term land use development plans with communities and other stakeholders within a period of 45 days. She also calls for periodic evaluations of these plans an aspect that many at times seem to have been forgotten.
As we welcome developments with open arms let us never forget to plan for them, and in a participatory manner. Yes, in Kenya today processes do matter and we better do them right not for us but for future generations.
The Tana River Delta has been designated as Kenya’s 6th Ramsar Site recognizing it for its importance, biodiversity and services it provides during the dry and wet seasons to those dependent on it for their livelihoods. The other 5 Ramsar sites include lakes; Naivasha, Nakuru, Baringo, Bogoria and Elementaita.
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 16 May 2013 16:42 ) |
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