Journal of Sustainability, Environment and Peace

Recreational green spaces as the future for sustainable cities: Case of Karura Forest in Nairobi, Kenya

Parita Sureshchandra Shah — 2022-06-02

Urban areas have been experiencing unprecedented growth since the beginning of the 20th century. Rapid urbanization is likely to present various challenges relating to human health, food security, water and energy needs, aesthetic and recreational spaces. Thus, the United Nations Agenda 2030 premised on economic, social and environmental sustainability may not be realized. This paper focuses on the recreational facilities in Karura Forest located in the peri-urban area of Nairobi City. It uses both quantitative and qualitative research design. In-depth literature review was used to enrich research findings. Data was collected from a selected sample of 1150 Nairobi residents. It provides an inventory of recreational facilities and examines the contribution open and green spaces make to the residents. The preferences of these residents to visit the facilities are also documented. The study found out that about 77.6% of the visitors came from nearby high-income areas of Muthaiga, Nyari, Rosslyn, Peponi and Runda, about 21.4% came from middle-income areas of Parklands, Mlolongo, Athi River and Langata while only a paltry 1% came from the low-income areas of Kangemi, Ngara, Huruma and DeepSea slums. Most of the visitors were between 14 and 52 years of age. Findings are expected to inform policy and future urban planning for green spaces and their recreational value. To ensure sustainable development in the future, there is need to preserve the existing open and recreational green facilities in Nairobi. Both the County and National Governments should formulate and implement the Sustainable Kenyan Cities Policy to preserve open and green spaces in the rapidly growing urban areas of the country.

Managing geothermal project implementation conflicts through mediation: A case of Olkaria IV Project, Nakuru county, Kenya

Lilian Namuma S. Kong'ani — 2022-06-08

Geothermal energy installations generate conflicts that escalate when improperly managed. Studies from outside Kenya have demonstrated application of mediation in managing conflicts over natural resources. However, its efficacy has not been adequately covered in Kenya. This study used the case of mediation between project affected persons (PAPs) and the developers of Olkaria IV energy project to document the process, to assess its role in resolving conflicts that emanated from the implementation of the project. A PAPs’ household heads survey, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KII) were conducted. Primary data was collected on pre-mediation preparations; mediation attributes, post-mediation buy-in and endorsements and the sequel of mediation. Secondary data was obtained from documents available in the mediation archive. The protagonists, that is, the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) and PAPs agreed to use mediation to resolve their conflicts. The mediation neutralized conflicts between KenGen and the PAPs, mended relationships between them, improved PAPs’ livelihoods and smoothened project operations. The community representatives, selected by themselves, regularly reported back and held consultation with the larger community. This promoted acceptability of the results and is here presented as a good practice, in addition to having competent mediators with good listening and probing skills. Further, inclusion of women and youth in the mediation exercise combined with freedom of expression during the mediation clinics, ensured that the weaker gender’s voice was heard and its input incorporated in the agreement. In spite of the above, there is a need for greater democratization for the PAPs representation, and a more comprehensive documentation of the process. The last two provide opportunity for copying this case for an improved mediation process. Finally, it is recommended that policies be formulated to provide for use of mediations as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism, in future project developmental conflicts in Kenya.

Community Water Governance In Lower Thiba Sub-Catchment, Kenya

Sarah Wagatwe Wangechi — 2023-06-03

Effective water governance ought to involve the manner in which allocative and regulatory politics are exercised in the management of water resource, and should embrace the formal and informal institutions by which authority is exercised. In Lower Thiba Sub-catchment of Kenya, slightly over 70% of the population in the area depend on water for irrigation purposes. This study explored how the existing legal instruments and institutions affect water governance in the area. Data was collected from 361 respondents using questionnaires, 9 key informant interviews, 5 focus group discussions, as well as direct observations. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Software. The results showed that 87% (P≤0.05) of the respondents were aware that they need to protect water resources, though only 50% reported a supportive attitude. This can be explained by the fact that river water is accessible throughout the year to most farmers, hence the need to conserve water is not urgent. 76% of the respondents were aware of existing water sector government institutions and rules in existence. Awareness of the water sector laws was at 68% while compliance to the same was at 80% (P≤0.05). Low awareness level of the public at 65% and weak enforcement from the regulators (20%) were cited as major reasons for non- compliance to the existing water rules. Main enforcement agencies were the water committees at 50% (P≤0.05), formed from water users associations in the area. In all, 56% of the respondents felt that the existing legal and institutional frameworks governing water were effective. Only 51% were members of community water institutions, with WRUA having the highest membership of 44% across the sub-catchment. Based on the findings, the study concluded that there is need for strengthening community involvement in water governance, enhancing capacity building to the surrounding community, and enforcement of water conservation and management laws within the sub-catchment.

Analysis of 30 years’ historical climate change trends and variability in Mt. Elgon, Kenya, Africa

Bon Bonzemo Waswa Sindani — 2023-08-18

Mountain habitats are critical for identifying the effects of climate change on livelihoods. The study's main goal was the “analysis of 30 years’ historical climate change trends and variability in Mt. Elgon, Kenya, Africa.” The study employed primary data from KIIs, FGDs, and household questionnaire survey representing community views. The study also employed secondary data from the Kitale Meteorological Station (KMS) for rainfall and temperature from 1986 to 2015. Statistical and descriptive techniques were used to analyse both quantitative and qualitative data. The yearly rainfall trend has typically been growing increasing as evidenced by the positive slope of 9.96, but with a tiny coefficient of determination of 0.28, according to the study of rainfall data. Within time series, MAM trends have been dropping, whilst OND trends have been increasing. However, when these trends were tested for significance using linear regression, the p-values were found to be bigger than the level of confidence, indicating that the increases in trends are not significant (5 percent). According to the study's findings, temperature trends have risen significantly between 1986 and 2015. The temperature trend had a significance of 5%, which is comparable to climate change as a result of global warming. Over 90% of the farmers polled said they had noticed changes in climate patterns as far back as 30 years. As a result, the region's overlapping climate changes include altered precipitation regimes and higher surface temperatures. These findings are crucial for improving adaptive ability and increasing resilience, as well as making informed decisions and planning future livelihood management strategies. This data can also be used to develop appropriate response mechanisms to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change and variability on livelihoods in the study area.