Evaluation report on the National Environment Secretariat, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Government of Kenya

The evaluation reviews the impact of NES on Kenya"s private, government, NGO, school, rural, and international organizations in the 15 years since its founding in 1972; it is based on field visits, document review, and interviews. NES has achieved good if not excellent results in raising environmental awareness and in bringing together different groups and constituencies with an interest in productive and sustained use of the environment. (This report is filled with examples.) However, NES has done less well in formulating an environmental policy, in stimulating the passage of environmentally oriented legislation, in attaining a capacity to monitor environmental trends, and in achieving capabilities to regulate and enforce environmental protection. The reasons for NES" success in stimulating environmental awareness are many - well-executed publications and posters; an active staff; support from external sources, high level officials, other ministries, and the media; and abundant participation by school and community groups. Explanations for NES" poorer performance with regard to environmental protection are more complex. NES has never been formally authorized through legislation or executive order to regulate environmental practices, nor empowered to conduct and enforce environmental impact assessments for development activities. Nor has NES received the resources or the systematic training needed for environmental monitoring and enforcement. This report makes 15 recommendations to help correct some of these difficulties and give NES the capacity to ensure both management and protection of Kenya"s environment. The recommendations are cast in practical terms so that they can be integrated directly into the day-to-day practices of Kenyan institutions. Further, it is hoped that this review and its recommendations may bring insight and perspectives to those dealing with environmental organizations elsewhere in Africa. (Author abstract, modified)