Implementation of the Convention
Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target
Aside from increasing the coverage of protected areas and establishing new special status sites, Kenya also intends, through its Strategy for Revitalizing Agriculture, to achieve by 2014 comprehensive development of the agricultural sector at all levels for the benefit of the population. On the subject of conservation of species, specific targets and programmes have been established regarding, among others, mangroves, coral reefs, turtles, and black rhinos. There are closed fishing seasons for some fish taxa to avoid overexploitation of certain. Furthermore, Kenya states that there is increased public awareness and access to information on habitat conservation. The Third National Report also declares that the Kenyan Plant Health Inspectorate Service has a system for controlling and monitoring the introduction of invasive alien species, including tighter control and surveillance at ports of entry (some programmes on specific species, such as the Water hyacinth, are mentioned).
Kenya declares that its national priority is poverty reduction. Incidentally, there are various sectoral programmes that support sustainable livelihoods, local food security and health care, especially for poor people. These include promotion of indigenous food crops and traditional herbal medicine. There are institutions such as Kenya Industrial Property Institute and the National Museums of Kenya that are mandated to protect traditional knowledge, innovations and practices. Regulations on access and benefit sharing mechanisms have been drafted and are awaiting adoption by the government.
Initiatives in Protected Areas
Kenya has expressed its commitment to progressively increase forest cover from the current 2% to 10% of the country under a protected area system (this target is not time bound). There is also a generalized focus to increase the coverage of different biomes under protected areas to include spots not currently covered (including forests, heritage sites, national parks, game reserves, and marine parks and reserves). Several marine parks and reserves have been established, but the coverage for inland waters is still lacking. The integrated coastal zone management strategy may result in more marine parks and reserves being established.
Initiatives for Article 8(j)
Kenya has established a network for Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicine that has been involved in undertaking an assessment of capacity building needs through the formation of associations on traditional medicine practitioners. Moreover, a capacity building programme has been put in place to help the herbalists add value to their products. Another example of the implementation of article 8j is the involvement of local communities in developing integrated management plans for wetlands. Furthermore, although no programme of work has been officially initiated, the effective participation of women in all aspects of national life is now an accepted paradigm in the country. In that regard, the Third National Report mentions that women participate side by side with men in traditional, herbal medicine practice associations.
