Bridges Trade BioRes • Volume 4 • Number 11 • 11th June 2004
Report Highlights Environmental Concerns in Kenya
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The recent State of Environment Report of Kenya — a new publication produced by the Kenyan National Environment Authority (Nema) — highlights a number of environmental problems in the country. These include deforestation, waste disposal problems, biodiversity loss and pollution issues. Due to inadequate capacity and financial constraints, solid waste — including radioactive waste — poses an environmental and health threat to Kenya, according to the report. Poor sanitation and drainage not only affect the ground water due to lecheates from the garbage dumps in urban areas, but also favours the breeding of mosquitoes, increasing malaria prevalence. Pollution contributes to the degradation of marine resources, the erosion of coastlines and the introduction of unknown fungal diseases affecting corals. The report also points out the effects poverty has on the environment through unsustainable livelihood practices and the continued unsustainable use of natural resources. In addition, the danger of flooding has increased, due to continued deforestation causing erosion and uncontrolled water run off. Biodiversity loss is also of concern, as traditional agriculture systems are being replaced by high input agriculture. The report notes that 50 percent of the soils in the country have been affected by salination. Kenya’s lakes suffer from siltation, reduced inflow, over-fishing and introduction of new species. For example, the introduction of the Nile perch into Lake Victoria — the world’s second largest fresh water lake — has caused an increased growth in algae that deplete oxygen levels. “Without oxygen, any aerobic life such as fish cannot exist in the deeper parts of the lake, forcing all life to exist within a narrow range depth and exposing them to a diverse range of hazards,” notes the report. One reason identified for these environmental problems was the low priority given to environmental issues, and the lack of financial resources to initiate environmental activities.
“Environment report raises red alert for Kenya,” EAST AFRICAN STANDARD, 6 June 2004.
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