Abstract
Natural resource management is one of the most key focuses in today's global agenda in view of the increasing challenges of climate change and environmental degradation. Sustainable development, closely knitted with natural resource management, offers a way out to reduce climate impacts through balanced ecosystems and use of resources[1]. Various states adopt these practices in an attempt to increase their environmental resilience and economic stability.
Kenya's natural resources, minerals, forests, water bodies, and fossil fuels, are regarded as the kernel of the industrialization and economic growth of Kenya; however, in the unsustainable exploitation of these resources, environmental degradation has reached serious levels, and to some degree, Kenya has become vulnerable to climate change. The study is motivated by the need to accelerate the making of Kenya's national development strategies internationally compatible with frameworks like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Paris Agreement while localizing the above within a domestic matrix of weak governance, limited technical capacity, and financial constraints.
The focus of the study is on Kenyan state policies for the NRM and their equilibrium with each other between economic development and environmental conservation. To address the problem from various dimensions, the framework draws on Property Rights Theory, Environmental Law, SDGs, International Environmental Agreements, Resilience Theory, and Common-Pool Resource Theory, to assess the effectiveness of governance structures and policy instruments currently in place. Consideration of relevant legislative frameworks, policy documents, as well as pertinent case studies within Kenya, allows the study to evaluate socio-economic conditions and environment impacts resulting from extractive practices, and determine best practice, as well as ongoing hindrances.
Among the key discoveries were strong governance, stakeholder involvement, and local adaptation of global best practices as drivers for sustainable NRM outcomes. The recommendations thus provided in this study to policymakers, legal practitioners, and development actors aim at institution strengthening, enhancement of policy alignment, and community participation. All in all, this research gives concrete insights to further aid Kenya in shifting towards sustainable development and to build a greater resilience to climate changes.
[1] Chukwujindu Nwokolo S, Umunnakwe Obiwulu A and Okonkwo PC, ‘Current Energy Landscape in Africa’ [2024] Africa’s Propensity for a Net Zero Energy Transition 123
Table of Contents
Abstract8
CHAPTER 1: Introduction. 10
1.1. Background And Context of The Research.. 10
Research problem.. 11
Research questions. 12
Objectives Of the Study. 13
Hypothesis. 13
Theoretical Frameworks. 14
1.1.1. Property Rights Theory. 15
1.1.2. Environmental Law.. 15
1.1.3. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)16
1.1.4. International Environmental Agreements. 16
1.1.5. Resilience Theory. 16
1.1.6. Common-Pool Resource (CPR) Theory. 17
Literature review.. 18
Justification of the study. 21
Methodology. 23
Limitations. 23
Chapter outline. 24
Conclusion. 25
Chapter 2: Legal, Policy, and Institutional Frameworks Governing Natural Resource Management in Kenya. 26
The constitution of Kenya, 2010. 26
Key Environmental and Resource Management Laws. 27
2.1.1. Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA), 1999 (Revised 2015)27
2.1.2. Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016. 27
2.1.3. Climate Change Act, 2016. 28
2.1.4. Mining Act, 2016. 28
2.1.5. Forestry Act29
National Policies. 29
2.1.6. National Environment Policy (NEP)29
2.1.7. National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS)29
2.1.8. National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP)30
2.1.9. National Forest Policy. 30
2.1.10. National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)31
Institutional Framework. 31
2.1.11. National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)31
2.1.12. Kenya Forest Service (KFS)31
2.1.13. Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry (MECCF)32
2.1.14. National Land Commission (NLC)32
2.1.15. Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)32
International and Regional Legal Instruments. 33
2.1.16. The Paris Agreement33
2.1.17. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)33
2.1.18. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)33
2.1.19. African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (ACCNNR)34
2.1.20. The Aarhus Convention (Principles of Environmental Democracy)34
Conclusion. 35
3. Chapter 3: Case Studies on Natural Resource Management in Kenya. 36
3.1. Case Study: Mau Forest Complex Restoration Initiative. 36
3.1.1. Introduction. 36
3.1.2. Legal and Policy Framework. 36
3.1.3. Community Rights and the Ogiek Case. 37
3.1.4. Enforcement mechanisms. 37
3.1.5. Impacts. 38
3.1.6. Challenges and Lessons. 38
3.1.7. Conclusion. 38
3.2. Case Study: Tana River Basin Water Management Program.. 38
3.2.1. Introduction. 38
3.2.2. Legal and Policy Framework. 39
3.2.3. Implementation Strategies. 39
3.2.4. Environmental and Socio-Economic Impacts. 40
3.2.5. Challenges and Lessons Learned. 41
3.2.6. Conclusion. 41
3.3. Case Study: Oil Exploration and Natural Resource Management in Turkana County 41
3.3.1. Introduction. 41
3.3.2. Legal Framework. 42
3.3.3. Implementation Strategies. 42
3.3.4. Environmental Impacts. 43
3.3.5. Socio‑Economic Impacts. 43
3.3.6. Alignment with Sustainable Development and Climate Mitigation. 44
3.3.7. Challenges and Lessons Learned. 44
3.4. Case Study: Kenya Climate-Smart Agriculture Framework Programme. 45
3.4.1. Introduction. 45
3.4.2. Background. 45
3.4.3. Legal Framework. 45
3.4.4. Implementation Strategies. 46
3.4.1. Environmental and Socio‑Economic Impacts. 47
3.4.2. Alignment with Sustainable Development and Climate Mitigation. 48
3.4.3. Challenges and Limitations. 48
3.4.4. Lessons Learned. 48
3.4.5. Conclusion. 49
3.5. The Proposed Mau Mau Road – Infrastructure Development vs. Environmental Sustainability. 49
3.5.1. Project Overview and Historical Context49
3.5.2. Legal and Regulatory Challenges. 50
3.5.3. Environmental and Climate Implications. 51
3.5.4. Economic Trade-offs and Community Perspectives. 51
3.5.5. Stakeholder Conflict and Resolution Strategies. 52
3.5.6. Sustainable Alternatives and Mitigation Measures. 52
3.5.7. Conclusion. 53
3.6. Case Study: Kenya National Tree Planting Initiative. 53
3.6.1. Introduction. 53
3.6.2. Background. 54
3.6.3. Legal Framework. 54
3.6.4. Implementation Strategies. 55
3.6.5. Environmental Impacts. 55
3.6.6. Socio-Economic Impacts. 56
3.6.7. Alignment with Sustainable Development and Climate Mitigation. 56
3.6.8. Challenges and Limitations. 57
3.6.9. Lessons Learned. 57
3.7. Conclusion. 57
Chapter 4: comparative analysis between Kenya and other countries in management of natural resources in sustainable development and climate mitigation. 59
Introduction. 59
How do different policies on natural resource management influence national development outcomes? – A comparison between Kenya and Bhutan. 59
4.1.1. Background. 59
4.1.2. Comparative Insights. 61
4.1.3. conclusion. 62
Why Do Some State Policies Succeed in Achieving Sustainable Development While Others Fall Short? A Comparison of Kenya and Costa Rica. 62
Background. 62
4.1.4. Comparative Insights. 64
4.1.5. Conclusion. 65
Conservation of Kenya’s Mau Forest vs. Brazil’s Amazon Forest65
Background. 65
4.1.6. Comparative Insights. 68
4.1.7. Conclusion. 68
Kenya’s National Tree Planting Initiative vs. Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative. 69
4.1.8. Background. 69
4.1.9. Comparative Insights. 71
4.1.10. Conclusion. 72
Kenya vs. Norway on Petroleum Extraction, Laws, Sustainability, and Environmental Impact Management73
4.1.11. Background. 73
4.1.12. Comparative Insights. 74
4.1.13. Conclusion. 75
Conclusion. 75
Chapter 5: General Analysis, Findings, Recommendations, and Conclusion. 77
Introduction. 77
General Analysis and Key Findings. 77
5.1.1. Influence of NRM Policies on National Development Outcomes. 77
5.1.2. Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts of State-Led Resource Exploitation 78
5.1.3. Effectiveness of Policies in Balancing Economic Growth and Climate Mitigation 78
5.1.4. Best Practices in NRM for Global Implementation. 78
5.1.5. Factors Contributing to Policy Success or Failure. 79
Recommendations. 79
5.1.6. Strengthen Governance and Anti-Corruption Measures. 79
5.1.7. Enhance Policy Integration and Coordination. 79
5.1.8. Secure Sustainable Financing. 80
5.1.9. Promote Community Engagement and Benefit-Sharing. 80
5.1.10. Invest in Technology and Capacity Building. 80
5.1.11. Prioritize Ecological and Climate-Resilient Strategies. 80
Areas for Further Research. 80
5.1.12. Long-Term Impact of Community-Based NRM... 81
5.1.13. Effectiveness of Carbon Markets in Kenya. 81
5.1.14. Governance Models for Emerging Resource Sectors. 81
5.1.15. Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Design. 81
5.1.16. Cross-Country Knowledge Transfer. 81
Conclusion. 81
Bibliography. 83
Books. 83
Statutes. 83
Cases. 83
Journals. 83
Articles (Online, Reports, and Policy Briefs)84
Social Media Posts. 88
Institutional Reports. 88
Katana, P. (2025). NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/natural-resource-management-for-sustainable-development-and-climate-change
Katana, Peter "NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE" Afribary. Afribary, 10 Jul. 2025, https://afribary.com/works/natural-resource-management-for-sustainable-development-and-climate-change. Accessed 05 Sep. 2025.
Katana, Peter . "NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE". Afribary, Afribary, 10 Jul. 2025. Web. 05 Sep. 2025. < https://afribary.com/works/natural-resource-management-for-sustainable-development-and-climate-change >.
Katana, Peter . "NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE" Afribary (2025). Accessed September 05, 2025. https://afribary.com/works/natural-resource-management-for-sustainable-development-and-climate-change