Policy Briefs

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Landscape Restoration in Kenya Stocktaking of Key Innovations and Strategies
(Kenya Forest Service, 2020) Kenya Forest Service
In Kenya, forest and landscape restoration (FLR) is a high priority on the government’s agenda, reflected by the large number of initiatives, legislations and policies associated with addressing degradation. These government policies, when implemented with strong communities’ participation, can also be part of a national strategy to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While these initiatives demonstrate a strong commitment to FLR and associated ecosystem services, implementing them at scale requires proper planning and assessment of the existing opportunities and resources. Towards this end, the Government established a multi-stakeholder Landscape Restoration Technical Working Group (LRTWG) in 2014 led by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to spearhead this planning and assessment processes. The LRTWG carried out an assessment of potential restoration opportunities and identified the most pressing land use challenges, restoration options and opportunities. This study is part of this process and sought to undertake a survey of a selection of successful FLR projects in Kenya, from which lessons can be drawn and scaled up to the national level. With a focus on key innovations, this work aims at providing a key building block towards a National Restoration Strategy, which will drive Kenya’s stated ambitious goal of restoring 5.1 million hectares of land – including forests, rangelands and croplands – by 2030.
Landscape Restoration in Kenya Addressing Gender Equality
(Kenya Forestry Research Institue, 2020)
Unlocking the potential of forest landscape restoration (FLR) to achieve both social and environmental outcomes rests critically on the support, contributions and cooperation of a wide range of stakeholders at all levels, including women and men. In Kenya, the government has committed to restoring 5.1 million hectares of land by 2030. At the same time, Kenya’s commitment to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment is enshrined in its Constitution, various national laws and policies as well as international conventions, including the Sustainable Development Goal framework. The purpose of this study was to provide empirically grounded lessons on opportunities and challenges for addressing gender in landscape restoration in Kenya, as well as to share recommendations for making sure Kenya’s ambitious restoration efforts do not repeat the mistakes of past gender-blind restoration initiatives, but make sure both women and men are able to enjoy the opportunities and benefits generated through landscape restoration.
Implications of the Minamata Convention on Mercury on Oral Health in Kenya
(University of Nairobi, 2020-01) Osiro, Olivia; Kisumbi, Bernina; Kariuki, David; Gathece, Loice
Despite the high prevalence of tooth decay, oral health is poorly funded and receives only 0.0016 per cent of the national budget for health, limited to 8 per cent of the total Government expenditure (Kaimenyi, 2004). This provision is grossly inadequate. Therefore, access to restorative dental care remains limited for the majority and often, removal of offending teeth is a cheaper alternative. Tooth loss affects mastication and speech and is associated with reduced quality of life (Petersen, 2004; Petersen, 2007). For those who can access treatment in the form of fillings, dental amalgam remains the most readily available and preferred filling material in low- and middle-income countries, including Kenya, as it is inexpensive, easy to use, and strong enough to withstand chewing forces (Petersen et al., 2009). Therefore, the phase-down of dental amalgam will have implications on oral health status in Kenya through the unavailability of affordable dental treatment.
Mangrove Degradation: Reversing the Trend through Community Engagement
(University of Nairobi, 2020-01) Wang'ondu, Virginia
More than 3,000 fish species, crabs, shrimps, prawns, molluscs, and oysters, among others, live, shelter and breed in the mangrove forests. Marine fishing is an important economic activity and a major income earner, producing 8,000 tons of marine fish, generating KES 100 million annually, and contributing approximately 0.5 per cent of all the goods and services produced in the country. Marine fish is also an important protein source for inland and coastal communities. Destruction and clearance of mangrove forests through logging and over-harvesting directly affects inshore and offshore commercial fisheries through lack of food and loss of shelter and breeding grounds for most fish, threatening their survival. Also, the decline in fish numbers causes a loss of vital income and a much-needed protein source, resulting in malnutrition and food insecurity. In Kenya, the losses are estimated at KES 582 million every year for inshore fisheries within the mangroves.
The Response of the Criminal Justice System to Spouse Abuse in Kenya
(University of Nairobi, 2020-01) Omondi, Scholastica
The objective of this policy brief is to highlight the systemic weakness of the CJS as a response mechanism to SA and to make recommendations for policy interventions that can effectively protect the family as the basic unit of the society from the negative impact of SA. Unless the response mechanism is effective, the family unit remains threatened as vulnerable victims fail to report SA for intervention. There is an urgent need for an effective intervention mechanism that can resolve SA and protect the family.
Sanitation challenges, groundwater perspectives and their intertwined relationships in Kisumu, Kenya
(University of Nairobi, 2020-01) Kanoti, Japhet; Olago, Daniel; Akech, Nobert; Nyamoi, Christopher; Dulo, Simeon; Ayah, Richard; Taylor, Richard
This research under the AfriWatSan project assessed groundwater and sanitation challenges based on field surveys, sampling, analyses, and interviews, as well as reviews of the literature and historical borehole data in Kisumu, Kenya. Previous studies in the area have shown that the number of shallow wells, buildings, unimproved pit latrines and sanitary risks have increased tremendously between 1999 and 2019. This study confirmed that the main water and sanitation challenges in Kisumu are (1) inadequate, poor and deteriorating water quality, (2) poor waste disposal management systems, and (3) poor sanitation services. There is a need for the introduction of new and sustainable groundwater approaches supported by science and decision-making processes that involve all stakeholders. Current deficiencies in the provision of adequate water and dignified sanitation to the poor in Kisumu can be remedied through improved knowledge of shallow aquifer dynamics and innovative research. It was noted that apart from the donor agencies and multi-national NGOs, private investors are unwilling to invest in water projects in Kisumu due, in part, to government legislation that constrains the cost that may be levied on water.
Digital Innovation for Building Liquidity for Agricultural Payments
(University of Nairobi, 2020-01) Mburu, John; Mujuka, Esther; de Hoogh, Sijmen; Mingate, Vyonne; Reitberg, Ad
Agri- innovation wallet, a promising solution to the problem, is a novel value chain financing option that links farmers, input suppliers, markets and the financial provider. It is an e-wallet platform that facilitates timely and efficient transactions. It targets the unbanked smallholder farmers in contract farming. The off-taker pays the farmer through the wallet, and the farmer saves money restricted for the purchase of agricultural innovations. Input suppliers are also paid through the system, and if need be, farmers access overdrafts for the purchase of agricultural inputs. Digital financial services lower transaction costs, making credit more available. A study was carried out to assess farmers’ willingness to save and borrow funds through the agri-innovation wallet for the purchase of agricultural inputs. Specifically, the study sought to test and monitor the proportion of farmers who would purchase innovations with funds in their agri-innovation wallet and the effect of the innovation on agricultural productivity and the farmers’ income.
Cactus invasion: A Threat to Biodiversity and Food Security
(University of Nairobi, 2020-01) Githae, Eunice
This policy brief: The prickly pear cactus has a negative impact on food security, biodiversity and human well-being. The cactus invades mostly arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), which form more than 80% of Kenya's landmass. Livestock keeping is the main socio-economic activity in these areas. The plant is hardly appreciated due to the presence of spines and glochids (small spines on fruits) that cause injuries to people and livestock. In Narok County, the cactus invasion has increased rapidly over the last five years and has displaced people and pastures. The plant has been present in Laikipia County for more than ten years and has invaded grazing land, contributing to the death of livestock and wildlife.
Drought Risks Livelihoods in Laikipia County
(University of Nairobi, 2020-01) Karanja, Amon
In the last 30 years, droughts have occurred in Kenya, resulting in food insecurity, scarce pastures, and loss of livelihoods and human lives. Drought sets a vicious cycle of socioeconomic impacts beginning with crop failure, unemployment, erosion of assets, decrease in income and poor nutrition (UNISDR, 2012). In Kenya, drought adversely affects rain-fed agriculture, water resources, hydropower generation, and ecosystems. The average drought cycle in Laikipia County has reduced from 5 to 3 years, affecting both crop and livestock production. In the county between 1984 to 2014, 53 per cent of the period received below-normal rainfall, while 40 per cent of the period received above-normal rainfall. More years, therefore, recorded below-normal rainfall, increasing the frequency of drought. For example, the 2009 drought impacted over 75 per cent of the crops, while 77.7 per cent of the households lost their livestock. Pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods are more vulnerable to the effects of drought in arid and semi-arid parts of the county due to over-reliance on rain-fed agriculture and natural pasture. Occurrences of drought leave households devastated and unable to cope without external support.
Domestication of the Ramsar Convention in Kenya
(University of Nairobi, 2020-01) Shah, Parita
Domestication of the convention was evaluated on the extent to which its obligations are integrated into Kenya’s policy frameworks, specifically the Wetlands Conservation and Management Policy (GoK, 2015), Environment Policy (GoK, 2013), Wildlife Policy (GoK, 2012), National Constitution of Kenya (GoK, 2010), and the Sessional Paper No. 6 on Environment and Development (GoK, 1999).
Investment in Technologies: Key Strategy for Postharvest Loss Reduction
(University of Nairobi, 2020-01) Mujuka, Esther; Ambuko, Jane; Mburu, John; Ogutu, Ackello
Historically, horticultural research has focused on increasing productivity. However, given the inelasticity of scarce resources, there is a consensus that the focus should shift to PHL reduction. The high postharvest losses occur due to poor postharvest handling, lack of storage technologies, lack of processing facilities, and poor market access. Developing cold chains is critical in PHL. reduction in horticulture. However, conventional cold storage facilities required for proper cold chains are expensive and not applicable in most rural areas due to lack of electricity. Most households (>80%) in rural Kenya have no access to electricity making it untenable and costly to invest in cold storage facilities (GoK, 2008; Shitanda et al., 2011). Consequently, the lack of cold storage facilities to aggregate the perishable produce and negotiate for better prices predisposes the smallholders to exploitation by middlemen. Globally, applicable off-grid cold storage and processing technologies exist. However, their adoption in Kenya is limited due to a lack of awareness and demonstrated benefits. It is against this background, that the University of Nairobi’s postharvest project, with support from the Rockefeller Foundation’s YieldWise Initiative, sought to upgrade two fruit aggregation centres. Low-cost technologies including zero-energy brick coolers, evaporative charcoal coolers, and tunnel solar dryers were provided to create awareness and demonstrate their practical application. However, little is known about their economic impact in Kenya, hence this study.
A Case for Providing Electricity Subsidies In Urban Informal Settlements
(University of Nairobi, 2020-01) Ambole, Amollo; Njoroge, Peris; Anditi, Christer; Outa, George
This policy brief highlights research findings from a two-year project using Nairobi’s Mathare settlement as a case study. The research established that close to 93 per cent of the residents have access to electricity. However, 50 per cent of the connections are informal or illegal, meaning that they are not provided directly by the mandated electric power supply agency: the Kenya Power and Lighting Company, and are thus not metered.
Enhancing Sustainability in African Catfish Seed Supply for Improved Production in Kenya
(University of Nairobi, 2020-01) Barasa, James
Identification and isolation of high-quality catfish brood stock for use at hatcheries in artificial propagation in combination with improved husbandry for resultant fry could be a suitable strategy to increase the availability of farm-raised catfish seeds to support expanded aquaculture in Kenya. To maintain the quality of such brood stock, nuclei hatcheries should be developed, to manage this stock. Such hatcheries will be charged with artificial propagation of catfish larvae for sale to farmers, who should consistently maintain best management practices on their farms.
Taming Predatory Lending for a Resilient Financial System and Economic Growth
(University of Nairobi, 2020-01) Kiiru, Joy
This policy brief is critical, especially in the wake of the 2019 financial access survey that showed that the percentage of people with access to credit services was 82.9 per cent, up from 26.7 per cent in 2006 and 75.3 per cent in 2016. The same survey found that financial health (the ability to cope with unexpected financial demands) was worsening. Much of the access to credit is fuelled by a proliferation of lenders using mobile phone technology to give quick, small loans with terms that are otherwise unfair to the wellbeing of the borrower. This amounts to predatory lending, a lending practice with unfair or abusive loan terms on a borrower. It also amounts to a coercive practice that convinces a borrower to take a loan that they can do without. In this research, we focus on lending systems targeting the poor, to give policy recommendations for a healthy and resilient credit system in Kenya.
Key Fire Disaster Prevention Factors in Informal Settlements in Nairobi
(University of Nairobi, 2020-05) Maina, Samuel; Ngau, Peter
The study aimed to examine the dynamics of fire disaster, vulnerability and response in the informal settlements in Nairobi using a case study of Mukuru Fuata Nyayo, a constellation of informal settlements lying in the southern side of the city. In Kenya, there is no systematic record by government and city authorities on fires in informal settlements. There are often sporadic and conflicting reports on fire occurrence by diverse organizations and agencies, including the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS), the United Nations Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) and the Kenya National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC). For example, for the period between January and March 2011, KRCS reported that approximately 42 fire incidences occurred resulting in at least 11 fatalities and about 472 casualties in Nairobi’s informal settlements (KRCS, 2015). For the same period, UN-OCHA reported that 71 fires occurred in Nairobi resulting in loss of 2,016 jobs, 376 houses, 2 deaths, 11 casualties and asset loss above US$ 1 million (UN-OCHA, 2011).
Improved Sorghum Variety A Forgotten Gold in the Kenya Drylands
(University of Nairobi, 2020-05) Chimoita, Evans
Agricultural extension and technology transfer services play a vital role in disseminating research knowledge, skills and income-generating strategies among the farming communities in Kenya. However, there exists a disconnect between the amount of information and technologies developed in research centres and what is implemented by farmers. Further, improved technologies are not reaching farmers for utilization as a result of weak linkages between the government's extension providers, who are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the technologies transfer to the farmers for utilization. Moreover, the effectiveness of the Government of Kenya's extension sector service provision has greatly declined during the last decade due to structural adjustment programmes (SAPs) and liberalization policies. The sector further faces constraints such as reduced and aged extension staff and low funding for operations and maintenance services, leading to weak information dissemination networks.
Policy Implementation and Performance of HIV Prevention Projects
(Kenya Policy Briefs, 2020-05) Ndungu, Anthony; Kidombo, Harriet
Despite advancements in adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programmes, the latest data indicate a persistent high need for services. For example, more than 25% of young women are married by 18, increasing their likelihood of having children at an early age. Nearly 33% of young married women have an unmet need for family planning, meaning they wish to delay childbearing but are not using any method of contraception and are at risk of having an unintended pregnancy. Good health and other physical, moral, and intellectual development outcomes are often mutually reinforcing. For example, healthy children do better in school. Similarly, having more years of schooling provides essential information and skills that are linked to more protective and less risky behaviours. There is also strong evidence that peers and parents are influential in shaping gender norms and attitudes. There is some evidence that schools and teachers also shape norms and attitudes. Evidence of the influence of the media is beginning to emerge. This study focused on understanding and proposing solutions to improved implementation of health promotion projects targeting adolescents in Kenya.
Dairy Goat Sector Enhancement Strategies for Sustainable Livestock Farming Communities
(University of Nairobi, 2020-05) Kikwatha, Reuben; Kyalo, Ndunge
Livestock production remains a critical sector in the agricultural economy of developing countries. Among the livestock production systems, dairy goat production has increasingly gained popularity as a significant contributor to this important sector. Innovation and adoption of new technologies, such as the promotion of dairy goat production and the improvement of indigenous goats for better production, are poised to make an even bigger contribution. This is in particular to the Kenya Big Four Agenda focused on eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, promoting gender equality, ensuring universal health care for citizens and habitable housing as well and tackling climate change by 2030.
Replenish Millions of Kenyan Household’s Granaries Through Forest Restoration
(University of Nairobi, 2020-05) Mutune, Jane
Forest degradation has also triggered the scarcity of resources and resulted in conflicts between government and Community Forest Associations (CFAs). Recent conflicts have been witnessed at the Maasai Mau, Cheregani and Mt. Elgon forests. Further, forest destruction precariously exposes women and girls as they walk long distances to fetch fuelwood. About 82 per cent of households use fuelwood for cooking and 1.2 per cent for lighting (KIHBSP, 2017). However, Kenya is only able to meet about 70 per cent of this demand through sustainable domestic supply. The annual deficit of 12 million cubic meters is met by formal and informal imports plus unsustainable extraction from natural forests (KIHBSP, 2017). The situation can be reversed through forest restoration and meaningful involvement of the CFAs in forest co-management.
Role of Financial Capabilities in Harnessing Digital Mobile Payments for Enterprise Success
(University of Nairobi, 2020-05) Muraya, Grace; Upadhyaya, Radha
In Kenya, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) are key engines for growth, creation of employment, innovation, industrial development and GDP growth. The 2016 Kenya National Bureau of Statistics data indicates that this sector accounted for 45 per cent of the establishments and 85 per cent of employment (KNBS, 2016). Despite their great importance, the sector has experienced many challenges, one of them being the exclusion, in terms of access and use, of formal financial products. Financial capability, the theory in which this study is anchored, proposes that an MSE must have the opportunity to access suitable quality financial products (Storchi and Johnson, 2106). However, it emphasizes that the performance of the MSEs and, in turn, the well-being of the entrepreneur hinges on the financial capabilities of the entrepreneur to embed the use of financial products. We examine two aspects of financial capabilities in this study: financial literacy and financial behaviour.

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