Marine areas are one of the best areas which Kenya is privileged to have. Marine areas is considered home to many species both plants and animals and therefore there maintenance should be a priority. Fisheries on the hand is related to marine lands because fisheries is impossible without marine. Fisheries ensure that they offer the best source of white meat in the country in form of different fish ranging in size and variety.

Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute has therefore been established to ensure that the life in the marine land is properly managed and protected. This institute is empowered to carry out research in Marine and Fresh water Fisheries, aquatic Biology, Aquaculture, Environmental Chemistry, Ecology, Hydrological Studies as well as Chemical and Physical Oceanography. As an institution, they have ensured that they collect and disseminate specific information on fisheries resources which will form the basis for their utilization, carry out studies on other marine and fresh water resources, monitoring pollution in fresh water and marine waters as well as carry out socio-economic research on topics related to fisheries environment and other aquatic resources.

The special programmes that they offer include;

Aquaculture Programme

This programme is aimed at investigating new and adoptive culture species and techniques for enhanced fish production in ponds, tanks, raceways and through pen culture. The programme also ensure that they integrate aquaculture production in irrigation systems as well as research on appropriate seed (fingerlings) production, feed formula and production, hatchery development and operations techniques, appropriate stocking levels for different production systems as well as hormonal and genetic manipulation for increased fish production in aquaculture systems.

Fisheries Programme

This programme offered by KMFRI is responsible for the inventorying and assessment of fish stocks, their special and temporal abundance and distribution. This programme also undertakes studies on the interaction between fisheries organisms and their environment, fish population dynamics, fish diseases from natural causes and due to environmental degradation, and investigates adaptive fishing technologies conducive to the environmental conditions. The main activities in this programme are based on the stock assessment and population dynamics of marine and offshore fisheries in the Indian Ocean, Lake Victoria, and other lakes, Research on biology and ecology of commercial and ecologically important fish species as well as provision of advice to potential investors in the sector.

Environment and Ecology Programme

This research programme conducted by KMFRI has the main aim of generating data and information of coastal and marine ecosystems that will enable sound management and sustainable utilization of resources. This programme therefore is a service program which supports and works hand in hand with the other programs within KMFRI. This programme is serviced by three research units which include critical habitats, water, sediment, quality and productivity as well as Oceanography and Meteorology. Environment and Ecology also ensure that the research touches on other areas such as Environmental Chemistry, Sea Grass Ecology, Coastal Geology and Physical Oceanography.

Natural Products Research Programme

This is a natural products and post-harvest technology programme charged with the duty of carrying out research in the aquatic bio-products field. The main research areas of focus have been on bioactive compounds as well as product development from fishery resources. The work of this programme involves value added fish product development and post-harvest control methodologies. In the post-harvest control, improved fish processing methods by smoking and solar drying have been thoroughly research and thereby introduced for use.

Information and Data Management Programme

This programme is focused on collection and disseminating information for use nationally and regionally. The major activities that is involved in this program include acquisition and archiving of datasets from sea observation programs and expeditions on water, updating of the marine species database, conversion of the library catalogue to a digital database, collaboration with national and international projects dealing with the information management as well as management of computer services and internet resources.

 

Everyone everywhere is talking about sustainable development in Nairobi. Kenyan primary schools have introduced a subject on environmental studies. High schools have also introduced environmental studies to their curriculum in Kenya. Environmental degradation in Kenya has become a point of conern even at the global level. Persons all over Kenya are being advised on best ways to avoid further environmental degradation as well as rehabilitating it back to its pristine condition. This is much of a herculean task but even the least of efforts will certainly go along way in environmental conservation in Kenya.

Walking in the streets of Nairobi, which is more or less of a concrete jungle, you can not help but notice the noisy environment as well as the smoky air drifting past your nostrils. The build environment has also contributed to the increased temperatures as concrete has a higher reflective index as compared to grass or bare ground. The buildings and concrete pavements in Nairobi have led to development urban heat islands. 

There is a huge difference between Nairobi City and say, the suburbs in Muthaiga and Gigiri area. Being in the two points in one day would have you confused to being in two different tropics all together. The air in Gigiri in Kenya is so fresh; it spells countryside, the surrounding is so clean and the general environment totally serene. It is so unlike the known “Nairobi” character

Trying to make Nairobi town similar to Gigiri is practically impossible. However a few things could be done to at least ameliorate the living conditions from an environmental perspective in Kenya. It is encouraging to note that the City Council of Nairobi has put its foot forward in fighting the degradation menace. From the litter bins put all over town to the strict implementation of laws against littering the town. However, we have a bigger role to play as individuals. We ought to take this as a personal initiative and try to safeguard our environment to the best of our ability.

Carbon sinks in Kenya should e encouraged. These help to decongest the air by absorbing emitted carbons. As we all know all plants and trees use up carbon dioxide to synthesize their food in the presence of light. Carbon sinks otherwise referred to as open spaces help to absorb carbon dioxide in the air thus creating a more “fresh and clean” air effect.

The City Council of Nairobi should also come up with better ways to handle generated solid waste especially in Nairobi town area. For instance the Wakulima market on Haile Selassie Avenue in Nairobi is an absolute eyesore. The area reeks of rotten materials which are disposed just slightly off the highway in Nairobi. This in itself poses a huge health risk to Kenyans as contractible diseases such as typhoid and cholera thrive in such areas. The strong odour inhibits walkability along that section of the road in Nairobi.

Kudos to the council of Nairobi in Kenya for beautifying the town of Nairobi. The flowing fountains in Nairobi are my personal best. They depict life and concern to the environment. If we play our own little roles in Kenya, we will not only achieve an environmentally sound town in Nairobi but will also ensure that the future generations also get to enjoy Mother Nature’s resources in Kenya.

National Environment Management Authority has offices located on Popo Road, Off Mombasa Road, Off Belle Vue in South C of Nairobi.

The postal address of NEMA offices in Nairobi is P.O.BOX 67839-00200, Nairobi.

The telephone contacts of National Environment Management Authority in Kenya are +(254)-020-2183718,2103696,2307281,2101370, 0724-253394, 0723-363010 and 0735-013046. The hotlines of NEMA offices in Kenya are 0786-101100 and 0704-846019. The Fax details of NEMA are +(254)-020-6008997.

The email address of National Environment Management Authority offices is [email protected]. 

The website of National Environment Management Authority is at http://nema.go.ke/.

Kenya is one of the biggest tourist destinations in East and Central Africa. Tourists are attracted to Kenya’s warm weather, escaping the chilling cold winters in the temperate countries. Wildlife also attracts tourists. Kenya is well known for its big five which include the leopard, rhino, buffalo, lion and the great elephant. It is very disturbing to realize that four of the ‘big five’ are facing the risk of extinction. Too many of them fall prey to poachers who put their selfish interests first at the expense of the whole tourism and hotel industry.

Latest news relays that poaching activities in Kenya are used to fund Al- Shabaab activities. Our wildlife, especially the elephants and the rhinos are disappearing at an alarming rate. It is estimated that Kenya loses two elephants weekly to poachers. Last year, Kenya lost a total of 278 elephants to poachers. This is alarming, bearing in mind that in 2012, Kenya lost 131 jumbos; showing an increase of 147 elephants. Statistics show that if poaching continues at this rate, Kenya will lose its elephants in 12 years. Statistics have also ranked wildlife trafficking the third largest prohibited industry that pays handsomely.

In a bid to establish why this menace does not seem to end, I was shocked at the realization of the amount of money game produce fetches. A kilo of rhino horn fetches $865,000 which is the equivalent of 5.5 million Kenya Shillings. A mature rhino produces 6-7 kilos of the coveted horn. That simply means that elephant and rhino horns sell higher than gold even in the black markets. Poachers kill for bone parts, fur, ivory and other parts. The returns are therefore worth risking for. Animal sanctuaries known for loss of their wildlife to poaching include among others, Meru National Park, Tsavo East National Park and Arawale National Reserve.

How do they catch and kill these animals? The deadliest techniques are used to capture these animals. Two of the worst ways are shooting the animals with silenced rifles. A bullet from an AK47, if well aimed can bring down an elephant instantly without a big struggle. The other technique employed is the use of snares and traps. These traps set by poachers or hunters of game meat have the ability to wound an animal so deeply to its death. The bad thing about these snares is that they also catch and sometimes kill animals that they are not intended for or those that the poacher or hunters do not need.

The government is responding to these fatalities but the problem is that what the government is doing is not good enough to substantially change this critical situation. In the meantime, all that Kenyans and future tourists can do is to hope that a permanent solution will be found to this menace of poaching.

 

There is no true meaning of the word KENYA. All there is are a number of myths that explain how the name could have come to be but there is not any one of them that is formerly recognized as the meaning of the word Kenya. All the myths however site Mt. Kenya as the name from which the word Kenya was formed.

Kenya has only two seasons. It experiences the rainy season and the sunny season only owing to the geographical location of the country. It is an equatorial country. The capital City of Kenya is Nairobi which is also the capital city of Nairobi province.

Kenya boasts of being home to the first African woman to ever win the Nobel pace price and that is Professor Wangari Maathai. Kenya also boasts of being home to East Africa’s largest airport namely Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

The vast majority of Kenyans are Protestants. About Seventy percent of Kenyans are Christians with just five to six percent of Kenyans being Muslims. The remaining percentage of Kenyans are adherent to other indigenous religions.

The Embu tribe in Kenya is known for performing a famous dance on stilts while wearing white masks and long black coats. The Masai tribe in Kenya is known for producing individuals who are tall and slender with mastery in the use of hand weapons. They are also known for holding their traditions to date.

The Great Rift Valley found in Kenya was formed about twenty million years ago when the crust of the earth was split. There is a great disparity between the rich and the poor in Kenya. The rich are very rich while the poor are very poor.

The earliest known remains of human fossils were discovered about 2000 BC in Kenya. It is therefore thought that those remains are the ancestors of the present Kenyans. In the world stage of sports, Kenya is known for athletics.

 

 

Tourists love visiting places that have adventure and it is of no doubt that the fact is indeed true. Kenya as a country has a lot of lakes that have different unique features which draws the attention of tourists to visit and explore them. The following are the best lakes to visit in Kenya.

Lake Victoria

It is the biggest lake in Kenya commonly known for producing large varieties and types of fish. The lake connects Kenya with its neighbors Tanazania and Uganda. The lake plays great role by being used as a source of transport for many landlocked nations Uganda being a perfect example. The lake has also helped many Kenyans to gain employment by venturing into the business of fish farming.

Lake Nakuru

The lake is majorly known for being a home to flamingoes. It has the largest numbers of flamingoes in the country and also its salty waters and springs attract huge number of tourists. Lake Nakuru is one of the best revenue sources of the town and has also created employment for many Kenyans in the tourism field.

Lake Turkana

The lake is also used as a fishing ground apart from being a tourist attraction. It is situated in the northern part of Kenya mostly known for desert conditions. However, the lake hardly dries up and continuous to support the economic lives of people in the area hence bringing to curiosity many explores to try find out about it.

Lake Magadi

The lake is used as a mining center for the country and makes Kenya become one of the largest soda ash producers in the world. The economic importance attributed to the lake helps it the country earn a lot of revenue through exporting soda ash products. By being a mining center, the lake creates a lot of employment for many youths that are jobless and find it hard to cope with the continuous economic projects.

                                          

The big five are recognized as the most dangerous animals in planet. They include the lion, rhino, leopard, elephant and buffalo.

The Lion

Lions weigh about 225kg and considered the most dangerous of the five animals. There hunting skills are extraordinary as well as their courage to approach a bigger prey without fear. The animal is territorial in nature living in a park of 40 lions. It is believed that the lioness is mostly the hunters while the lions make sure that their territory is safe from other animals. Professional’s advice not to run if he or she encounters a lion but retreat slowly to a safer ground.

Elephant

An elephant weighs about 6 tones and is considered the largest mammal in the world. The animal is very dangerous if provoked. An elephant has large ears, elongated incisors in the form of tusks, and a trunk. The large ears are responsible for cooling the body. It is important to note that when the animal starts kicking up dust, and flapping it ears probability is that the animal is about to attack. Professional’s advice people to keep distance with them.

Leopard

One of the fastest and independent animals on earth. Leopards are rarely seen together when hunting. It is possible to see them together but only when mating. There slightly small body matches perfectly with their speed and their ability camouflage.

Rhino

There are two species which are the white and the black rhino. The animal is among the hardest animals to see or spot. In recent years, they have been hunted but the efforts of conserving them have yielded fruits. The animal is dangerous when someone gets to close to them. There bad sight may work as an advantage if attacked.

Buffalo

They mostly walk in herds and are unpredictably dangerous. Like lions they are also territorial basing their territory on the amount of water and food available. It is believed that they weigh about a ton. Their high temper is enough reason for anyone to keep distance.

 

Central Park is a recreational park of the city of Nairobi.Central Park is a place of rest that is located amidst all the busy life of the city of Nairobi and amidst the high-rise development at the Nairobi city centre. Central Park in Nairobi is one of the few places found within the city of Nairobi where one can run to for a picnic atmosphere. Central Park in Nairobi is located on the upper side of Nairobi city near University of Nairobi. This green reserve park in Nairobi borders Uhuru Highway, Kenyatta Avenue, Serena Hotel and Nyerere Road. Mostly, central park can be confused as an extension of the vast Uhuru Park that is its neighbour. Central park is a major destination of the city especially during lunch breaks and in the afternoons for both the locals as well as the tourists in Kenya. The tourists in Nairobi appreciate the cool environment offered in the park which is a huge contrast to environment in the middle of Nairobi town in Kenya.

Central Park in Kenya has a memorial to honour the late Jomo Kenyatta, who was the first president of Kenya. The Jomo Kenyatta memorial in Central Park was elected in this park to show that Kenyans appreciate the freedom fighters who made Kenya a nation of its own. It shows that our citizens in Kenya are patriots and could protect their land any time. It is also a good way to show honour of our past leaders in Kenya. This monument on Central Park grounds in Nairobi greets you as you enter the park from Uhuru Highway. The park in city of Nairobi is often visited for its lush green wealth that offers a soothing relief from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In other places of the city, you will find people walking fast doing their usual businesses, but in this part of town, people are usually resting under shades of the tree in the park and sitting on the grass which offers one some respite. Central Park is a haven where one escapes the scorching sun in the city of Nairobi!

The rising and falling green spaces in Central Park in Nairobi city are perfect for picnics and family fun-days out. The presence of face-painters, hawkers and professional photographers in Central Park makes the park a child-friendly zone and avails the services that its visitors need. At one end of the Park is a Children’s playground with a wide range of facilities for Children to play on such as swings and other playing materials. Central park has expansive lawns and well maintained gardens, interspersed with shade trees. It also has flowers which make the park attractive. Picnicking at this park is a favourite pastime with Nairobi residents on weekends and public holidays. Those seeking to find jobs in the city also find a resting place in this park in between their searches. People could also use this park as a meeting place, an advertising place through putting up tents which attract the people, and among many others ways. Central Park is easily accessible to residents of Nairobi from all corners of the city and it is open for free to the public in Kenya.

There are toilet facilities provided in  Central Park in Kenya where the public use at a fee. The Nairobi City Council ensures that it maintains  Central Park and makes it as friendly as possible. In Nairobi, there are other similar parks which people could visit which include Jeevanjee Gardens, Nairobi Arboretum, Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi City Park and Uhuru Park.

Current statistics show that Kenya had only 1.7% forest cover by 2006. This is a disturbing scenario, bearing in mind the great role played by forests in sustaining the environment and existing ecosystems and the fact that Kenya had a 10% forest covey in 1963. The United Nations recommendation on forest cover for all nations is a 10% forest cover for every nation. Kenya will need about 7.6 billion shillings to achieve this cover by 2030. This will be through the purchase of more than 380 million trees.

When the word ‘forest’ is mentioned in Kenya, the first forest that rings into the minds of Kenyans is the Mau Forest Complex. The forest has been a controversial issue and an emotive agenda to discuss especially between 2005 and 2012. This is a rich and fertile land which covers approximately 417,000 hectares of land. The politicization and antagonism of the Mau Forest Complex has given rise to heroes in Kenya. The Late Professor Wangari Mathai championed for the preservation of the Mau Forest, which made her a thorn especially during the presidency of the second president, Daniel Torotich Arap Moi. She however won a Nobel peace prize for her efforts in preservation of the environment and Kenya’s largest forest reserve.

Sadly, encroachment of the Mau Forest Complex is still imminent. Whether out of ignorance, desperation or greed, the Mau Forest is facing the threat of deforestation again. It is important that as a nation, we try to weigh the repercussions of eating into the forest. I stand for protection of the forest, so let me outline the importance of this forest.

The Mau Forest Complex is the largest water catchment area in East Africa. It is the source of 12 rivers that lead to five lakes namely Lake Victoria, Baringo, Natron, Turkana and Nakuru. Of these five lakes, three are international, that is LakeVictoria (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania), Natron (Tanzania and Kenya) and Lake Turkana (Kenya and Ethiopia). The Mau Forest also waters the Mara and Serengeti which are animal sanctuaries. It also has the largest population of indigenous trees in East Africa. It is the largest canopy closed vegetation in East Africa and a home to more than half of all species of birds in the entire Africa. The Mau Forest Complex also plays a critical role in carbon recycling, flood mitigation, water purification, enrichment of soil nutrients and river flow regulation.

Why would we want to finish a forest that brings such benefits? It is the responsibility of the government to take measures to ensure that the forest is preserver for the future generations to come, as it is the responsibility if all Kenyans to preserve the forests as we attempt to achieve the 10% forest cover.