Authors :
Mirriam Chebungei; Carol Jeruto; Deogratias Mulungu; Joel Nobert
Volume/Issue :
Volume 7 - 2022, Issue 5 - May
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3IIfn9N
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3nhRKMW
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6734839
Abstract :
The study was conducted with the main
objective to assess the extent of biophysical land
degradation in the basin and propose a policy
framework for integrated management in Kenya.
Degradation have been confirmed to be taking place in
the basin with high degradation in the agricultural based
areas and bush land areas. The main cause of
degradation is clearing of vegetation to pave way for
agricultural activities, fuel wood, overstocking and poor
cultivation practices.
Although bare lands could be seen as land exposed and
susceptible to degradation, it has been confirmed that
degradation levels in bare lands is low; therefore it
should be noted that degradation is driven by
anthropogenic activities as it affects areas mainly with
active socio-economic activities. This is a wakeup call to
take action and to practice sustainable land use
practices.
Assessment of institutional policy framework shows that
there is legal and policy framework for land degradation
management, however there are shortcomings which
have to be addressed for effective policy framework. The
main challenge being inadequate coordination between
the county and national government which brings about
disconnect between county and national government
resulting to inadequacy in policy formulation and
implementation. There needs to be a clear linkage
between the two levels of government. This will go hand
in hand towards ensuring a catchment based
management of land degradation at basin level, as this
will enable close touch with the land users thus ensuring
sustainable management of land.
Keywords :
Degradation; Policy framework; land use management.
The study was conducted with the main
objective to assess the extent of biophysical land
degradation in the basin and propose a policy
framework for integrated management in Kenya.
Degradation have been confirmed to be taking place in
the basin with high degradation in the agricultural based
areas and bush land areas. The main cause of
degradation is clearing of vegetation to pave way for
agricultural activities, fuel wood, overstocking and poor
cultivation practices.
Although bare lands could be seen as land exposed and
susceptible to degradation, it has been confirmed that
degradation levels in bare lands is low; therefore it
should be noted that degradation is driven by
anthropogenic activities as it affects areas mainly with
active socio-economic activities. This is a wakeup call to
take action and to practice sustainable land use
practices.
Assessment of institutional policy framework shows that
there is legal and policy framework for land degradation
management, however there are shortcomings which
have to be addressed for effective policy framework. The
main challenge being inadequate coordination between
the county and national government which brings about
disconnect between county and national government
resulting to inadequacy in policy formulation and
implementation. There needs to be a clear linkage
between the two levels of government. This will go hand
in hand towards ensuring a catchment based
management of land degradation at basin level, as this
will enable close touch with the land users thus ensuring
sustainable management of land.
Keywords :
Degradation; Policy framework; land use management.
