Enhancing management effectiveness in Kenya's coastal protected areas

Abstract

Protected areas (PAs) are the cornerstones of most notional biodiversity conservation strategies. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 requires that protected areas are established and effectively managed to protect biodiversity. There is good evidence that effectively managed PAs conserve biodiversity and habitats, both on land and at sea. In Kenya, PAs are designed to protect the ecological values of Kenya's terrestrial, aquatic or marine diversity. There are 28 national parks, 31 national reserves and 6 national sanctuaries, four marine national parks and six national marine reserves within Kenya. The National Government through Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) administers all national parks and some reserves. KWS, a state parastatal body established in 1990, is responsible for the management of these PAs, governed by the Wildlife (Conservation and Management) Act Cap 376 of the Laws of Kenya and the 1989 Amendment.