National Environment Action Plan Framework 2009-2013

In the context of enhancing the integration of environment into development planning, the government of Kenya has formulated a national environment action plan framework for the period of 2009-2013 through a participatory process both in the public, private and civil sectors. It is a multi-disciplinary as well as a multi-sectoral document that aims to incorporate salient issues identified in various districts and provincial in environment action plan.
In order to eliminate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition, the document plans to establish provision of sanitation, access to safe water, rehabilitation and extension of sanitation facilities and sensitization of communities on the importance of health and sanitation.
In order to make agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and sustainable, the plan proposes the following interventions in order to improve forests management and conservation: to increase planting and rehabilitation, to implement and enforce the Forest Act 2005 and Draft policy, to undertake research and enhance collaboration on the management of invasive species, to adopt economic incentives for management of forest products, research on efficient charcoal production technology, the finalization and implementation of charcoal policy, to build capacity on fire management, to develop and harmonize management strategies for trans-boundary forests resources, to enforce existing legislations and to increase forest cover. In addition, agriculture and livestock are the main sources of livelihood for the rural population. The three broad agricultural production systems are crop cultivation, livestock rearing and fisheries. Each of the production systems has the potential to significantly affect human and environmental health. For this purpose, the plan proposes following activities: to integrate indigenous knowledge in crop production systems, research on drought-resistant crops, to adopt and implement appropriate farm management systems, to promote indigenous knowledge in livestock management, to create awareness and promote alternative livelihood programmes, to undertake research and strengthening collaborations on invasive and alien species management and to intensify surveillance of fishery activities within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Regarding the reduction of rural poverty, the plan envisages implementing the following activities: the creation of employment opportunities, diversify investment to rural areas, create an enabling environment for investment, encourage use of appropriate building technologies and materials, enforce existing legal instruments and policy initiatives and undertake research on impact of climate change on environmental, social and economic sector.
To enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems, the following programmes and projects are proposed by the plan: to develop a policy on trade in invasive and endangered species, enforce the by-laws and other relevant legislations on planning for location of markets, educate the public and control use of counterfeit goods, application of economic instruments (incentives and disincentives) in trade on environmental friendly technologies, develop and apply appropriate technology on infrastructural designs.
To increase the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises, the plan address issues such as: controlling air and water pollution, Solid and liquid waste management, capacity building enhance capacity of cities, municipal and other local authorities to manage waste, land degradation, loss of biodiversity, loss of aesthetic values, radiation and inadequate enforcement of legislation, finalize and implement regulation on toxic, hazardous chemicals, strengthen early warning systems, intensify forestation campaigns and programmes, intensify efforts to mitigating effects of global warming provision of fire breaks, in forests, ranches, slums and squatter land and strengthen the capacity of responders‟ public, cities, municipal, local councils and decision makers.
In the context of governance, the implementation strategy of environment action plans will involve communities, civil society, and the private sector, learning institutions, government, policy makers and development partners. The engagement of stakeholders in the implementation process will be guided by their statutory mandate, their capacities and priorities. The target will be to develop Provincial and District Programmes and Projects from the framework. The recently formulated Public Private Partnership strategy sets the framework for private sector involvement. Stakeholders will be involved at all stages of project preparation and implementation including monitoring and evaluation. Measures will also be explored to enable donors finance various projects.