Kenya
Wellington Mulinge, Patrick Gisheru, Festus Murithi, Peter Maingi and Alisher Mirzabaev
Land degradation is having highly detrimental effects on the livelihoods and food security of especially the poor people in dryland areas in Kenya. About 30% of croplands in Kenya have been degraded during the last three decades (Chapter 2 of this book). The exploitation of the land without compensating investments in soil and water conservation threatens with irreversible land degradation, which means loss of rural livelihoods, water supplies and wildlife habitat as well as damage to infrastructure from flooding, sedimentation and landslides. This study seeks to identify the drivers and impacts of land degradation in Kenya using remote sensing and GIS data, panel household surveys, secondary data and soil surveys, as well as the review of previous literature. The cause-and-effect relationships of such key factors as population pressure, land tenure security, market access, local governance, and others are evaluated. The bio-economic modeling of the impact of sustainable land management practices shows that action against land degradation is less costly than inaction, with positive further effects manifested through improved food security and incomes among agricultural and pastoralist communities in the country. Based on this research evidence, we conclude with specific policy recommendations for promoting sustainable land management in the country.
» Policy brief
