THE UNIVERSITY OF LEIPZIG

maximum spring discharge level. 501 This over abstraction is due to the over dependency on
spring water from the forest. But through analysis and discussion in subsequent chapters, we
shall highlight that this excessive usage is due to inadequate availability of water outside the
forest, an increase in human and live stock population around the forest fringes, coupled with
poor management of existing water systems. We shall also inform that this situation is also
linked to cultural and spiritual reasons. Overall, we note that in some instances state-like
actions and controls towards the conservation of forest biodiversity have had far reaching
impacts. In some cases it has led to accelerated cases of illegal forest exploitation. 502
Key National agencies responsible for different sectoral uses of biodiversity
The global call for raising biodiversity awareness was one of the issues that the precluded the
United Nations World conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de
Janeiro in 1992. 503 At the conference Kenya did not only endorse and adopt Agenda 21, but
also signed the convention for biological diversity. This same document was nationally
ratified in 1994. It will be recalled that the Rio de Janeiro and Earth summit in 1992 and 1994
respectively called upon member states to devise means to check all behaviours that
undermine biological diversity as well as promote the environment as a means to attaining
sustainable development. 504
The Government of Kenya (GOK) founded the National Environment Secretariat (NES) in
1994 as the environmental agency to coordinate environmental activities in the country.
However in late 1994, partly as a result of the global call at the Earth Summit, the NES
founded the Interministerial committee on Environment which was a loose and some what
ineffective multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary membership team with members from the
government, the private sector and NGOs. This committee was also made up of subcommittees
responsible for the implementation of the Convention for Biological Diversity
(CBD). 505
In the foregoing sub section we shall look at the national agencies involved in this effort. We
note that their motivation is grounded in a national vision under the banner of protecting
biodiversity resources and ensuring food security for all the people. 506 Most of these agencies
premise their action plans on the fact that biodiversity resource will be sustainably conserved
if communities are sensitised and empowered. Basing themselves on the best practices model
in biodiversity conservation, these agencies call for the integration of biodiversity in their
national planning and development strategies. 507 However, as we have observed earlier, best
501 The Kenya Water Act Cap 372 of the Laws of Kenya.
502 Nettings, R.M. 1997. Unequal Commons and Unequal equity: Property and Community Among Small holder
Farmers. The Ecologist 8:27-28.
503 United Nations World conference on Environment and Development(UNCED). Rio Dejaneiro,1992.
504 GoK. 2000. The Kenya National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
505 Ibid.
506 GOK. 2000. First National Report to the Conference of Parties. Nairobi:Government Printer.
507 Ibid.
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