Stakeholder Roles, Perceptions and Behaviour towards Conservation of Riparian Zones in Nairobi River Basin

Abstract

Stakeholder participation is key to the determination, use and management of riparian zones. International treaties, conventions and laws as well as the Constitution of Kenya of 2010 are very clear about the inclusion of stakeholders in the protection of the environment. This paper outlines the stakeholder participation in the determination, use and management of riparian zones. Respective parcel numbers were used as the sampling frames for land users. Key informants included county planners, development control officers as well as National Environmental Management and coordination (NEMA), Water Resources Authority (WRA) and Ministry of Lands officials. Data was collected using both secondary and primary methods. Archival methods were the main secondary methods used. An electronic questionnaire and observation schedule were administered using a kobo collect android tool that could capture the Global positioning system (GPS), take a photograph of the target and allow answers to be keyed in. The tool had a positional error of two metres. Both qualitative and quantitative data was coded, cleaned and then analyzed using SPSS. The study undertook that factors that contribute to riparian zone degradation can be grouped into: physical, socio-economic, legal and policy as well as level of awareness of the meaning of the zone. This paper therefore recommends formulation and implementation of a riparian reserve conservation policy that would protect the zones and ensure their proper determination, use and management. Further the article recommends proper demarcation of riparian zones using clearly identifiable pillars and advocates that the policy include penalties to those who defile the zones regulations.