City+Land+Use

Land plays a crucial and central role in the economic, social-cultural and political lives of individuals and communities in Kenya. Land provides the livelihood base for the bulk of the population especially in rural areas where the main occupation is agriculture/pastoralism. In the national development blue-print, land is recognized as a critical resource in achieving the socio-economic and political development in the country. Land in itself is a repository of a wide array of natural capital stock such as soils, forests, wetlands, minerals and wildlife among others. Natural capital-based sectors of the economy such as agriculture, forestry, tourism, mining, water and energy contribute approximately 42% of the GDP. In essence the goal of improved livelihoods and sustainable natural resource management are closely intertwined with land. Besides the direct benefits, the environment provides critical ecosystem services that are vital for quality life such as watershed protection, prevention of soil erosion, carbon sequestration and recreation among others. Sound management of natural capital is vital in ensuring adequate and continuous supply of environmental goods and services. Furthermore, proper management of the environment is critical to ensure that the negative impacts environment-related calamities such as floods and drought are minimised or even averted. Kenya is currently experiencing high levels of natural resource degradation manifested through high rates of deforestation, soil erosion, declining soil fertility, pollution of water bodies, ineffective disposal of solid waste, violent conflicts over resources and such others. There are several factors that explain the current level of natural resource degradation such as high population growth rate, undervaluation of environmental goods and services, under funding of the natural resource sector, weal enforcement capacity, lack of land use policies and a generally weak institution framework among others. These problems are likely to pose even greater challenges in the future as the country implements the development agenda. An increase in the manufacturing activities will inevitably give rise to an increase in effluents discharged and pollution which will require more stringent and effective management to avert further deterioration of the environment. Furthermore, the increasing population in Kenya is projected to reach 52.7 million by 2025, which will be almost double the population in 1999. The increasing population will continue to put more pressure on the environment. Therefore, proper land use policies that prioritise environmental protection in the process of economic growth will become increasingly critical.