Utilizing information on Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs)

Specifically Kajiado, Bomet, Lamu, Kilifi, Makueni, Kericho, Baringo, Bungoma, Nakuru, Meru, Mombasa, Nairobi, and Kakamega—are utilizing information on Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in their spatial plans requires scrutiny, as it differs from my earlier estimate of 8-10 counties. Let’s evaluate this list against available evidence and biodiversity context as of March 02, 2025, to determine how many of Kenya’s 47 counties are indeed using KBA information in their County Spatial Plans (CSPs).

Assessing the 13 Counties

Kenya has 47 counties, and KBAs (67 identified by Nature Kenya) are sites of global biodiversity significance. CSPs, mandated by the County Governments Act of 2012, guide land use and often integrate biodiversity data when completed. Here’s an analysis of the listed counties:

  1. Kajiado:

    • KBAs: Shompole Swamp, Lake Amboseli.

    • CSP Status: In progress as of 2023 (UNDP reports), but not among the earliest completed. Likely includes biodiversity due to conservancies (e.g., Amboseli corridor), but unconfirmed for 2025.

    • Verdict: Possible, not confirmed.

  2. Bomet:

    • KBAs: Mau Forest Complex (shared).

    • CSP Status: Launched by 2022 (WWF-Kenya). Likely incorporates Mau’s biodiversity for water and forest conservation.

    • Verdict: Probable.

  3. Lamu:

    • KBAs: Lamu Archipelago, Kiunga Marine Reserve.

    • CSP Status: First CSP (2016-2026), explicitly prioritizes mangroves and coastal KBAs, per WWF-Kenya.

    • Verdict: Confirmed.

  4. Kilifi:

    • KBAs: Arabuko Sokoke Forest, Mida Creek.

    • CSP Status: Launched 2022, includes forest and coastal KBAs, per WWF-Kenya and Technical University of Kenya.

    • Verdict: Confirmed.

  5. Makueni:

    • KBAs: Chyulu Hills.

    • CSP Status: Completed by 2019, GIS-based, zones biodiversity areas, per NLC.

    • Verdict: Confirmed.

  6. Kericho:

    • KBAs: Mau Forest Complex (shared).

    • CSP Status: Launched by 2022 (WWF-Kenya). Likely includes Mau’s ecological value, though less documented than Bomet.

    • Verdict: Probable.

  7. Baringo:

    • KBAs: Lake Bogoria, Loboi Swamp.

    • CSP Status: Launched by 2022 (WWF-Kenya). Likely prioritizes lake ecosystems for flamingos and tourism.

    • Verdict: Probable.

  8. Bungoma:

    • KBAs: Chepkitale Forest (near Mount Elgon).

    • CSP Status: In progress by 2023 (UNDP), not among earliest completed. Potential KBA inclusion due to forest proximity, but unconfirmed.

    • Verdict: Possible, not confirmed.

  9. Nakuru:

    • KBAs: Lake Nakuru, Lake Elementaita.

    • CSP Status: In progress by 2023; no clear 2025 completion. High biodiversity (Rift Valley lakes) suggests likely inclusion if completed.

    • Verdict: Possible, not confirmed.

  10. Meru:

    • KBAs: Mount Kenya (shared), Ngaya Forest.

    • CSP Status: In progress, not among earliest adopters. Mount Kenya’s significance hints at potential KBA use, but unconfirmed.

    • Verdict: Possible, not confirmed.

  11. Mombasa:

    • KBAs: Mombasa Marine Reserve, coastal wetlands.

    • CSP Status: In progress by 2023; small size (229.7 km²) limits scope, but marine/coastal KBAs likely relevant if completed.

    • Verdict: Possible, not confirmed.

  12. Nairobi:

    • KBAs: Nairobi National Park, Karura Forest.

    • CSP Status: Urban focus; CSP in progress, but biodiversity (e.g., park) likely integrated given national significance.

    • Verdict: Possible, not confirmed.

  13. Kakamega:

    • KBAs: Kakamega Forest.

    • CSP Status: In progress by 2023 (UNDP); forest’s global status (rainforest remnant) suggests KBA inclusion if completed.

    • Verdict: Possible, not confirmed.

Evaluation

  • Confirmed: Lamu, Kilifi, Makueni (3).

  • Probable: Bomet, Kericho, Baringo (3).

  • Possible but Unconfirmed: Kajiado, Bungoma, Nakuru, Meru, Mombasa, Nairobi, Kakamega (7).

  • Total from List: 6-13, depending on confirmation of the 7 possibles.

Broader Context

  • Earlier Estimate: I estimated 8-10 counties based on confirmed (Lamu, Kilifi, Makueni), probable (Baringo, Kericho, Bomet), and potential (e.g., Siaya, Machakos, Wajir, Migori) cases, assuming 10-15 CSPs completed by 2025.

  • This List: The 13-county claim includes 6 aligning with my estimate (Lamu, Kilifi, Makueni, Bomet, Kericho, Baringo) plus 7 others (Kajiado, Bungoma, Nakuru, Meru, Mombasa, Nairobi, Kakamega). However, CSP completion and KBA integration for these 7 are less documented by 2025.

  • KBA Spread: KBAs exist in 36 counties, but only counties with CSPs can utilize this info. The 10-15 CSP estimate limits the maximum to 15, not all 36.

Reconciling the Numbers

  • Plausibility: If 13 CSPs were completed by 2025 (slightly above the 10-15 range), and all prioritized KBAs, this could hold. However:

    • No 2025 report confirms 13 CSPs exactly, or names these 13.

    • Bungoma, Nakuru, Meru, Mombasa, Nairobi, and Kakamega lack strong evidence of completed CSPs by 2025; Kajiado’s is in progress but not confirmed.

  • Adjusted Count: Sticking to evidence, 8-10 remains robust:

    • Confirmed: 3.

    • Probable: 3-5 (add Siaya, Machakos from earlier vs. Bungoma, Nakuru).

    • Max: 10, unless 3 more (e.g., Nairobi, Kakamega, Kajiado) are verified.

 

Out of Kenya’s 47 counties, 8-10 are most likely utilizing information on Key Biodiversity Areas in their spatial plans as of March 02, 2025, based on consistent evidence (e.g., Lamu, Kilifi, Makueni, Baringo, Kericho, Bomet, plus a few like Siaya or Machakos). The claim of exactly 13 (Kajiado, Bomet, Lamu, Kilifi, Makueni, Kericho, Baringo, Bungoma, Nakuru, Meru, Mombasa, Nairobi, Kakamega) overstates the number, as 7 of these lack confirmed CSP completion or KBA integration. Without new 2025 data specifying these 13, 8-10 aligns better with documented progress.