Focus-Bri Country Report Kenya (Framing Opportunities for Conservation by Understanding Safeguards in the Belt and Road Initiative)

Center for Large Landscape Conservation

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Abstract: Located in eastern Africa, the Republic of Kenya was proclaimed an independent state in 1964. Today, it is home to more than 53 million people (Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, 2019), with a steadily growing economy at 4.9% annually, much of which is due to the development of linear infrastructure such as roads and railways (Republic of Kenya, 2015) (Fig. 2). Kenya?s natural resources have been pivotal to national prosperity and serve as a vital economic engine for agriculture, tourism, energy, trade, and other sectors. Kenya is also endowed with extraordinary biodiversity with 25,000 species of animal and 7000 plants having so far been described and conserved within formally protected areas (Republic of Kenya, 2015) (Fig. 2). Kenya clearly recognizes the importance of its natural heritage to national wellbeing, ensuring environmental sustainability is represented in the Constitution (2010). Additionally, the national development blueprint, entitled Kenya Vision 2030,aims to create ?a globally competitive and prosperous nation with a high quality of life by 2030? (Government of the Republic of Kenya, 2007), and includes the flagship project Securing the Wildlife Corridors and Migratory Routes Initiative.