Environmental protection has always been a problem in the massively and naturally endowed and minerally rich Africa, given the persistent state of chaos and disorder that most of its naturally rich countries have continuously experienced since the end of the colonial era (the tragic story of the Democratic Republic of Congo comes to mind).
For instance, consumers use materials that may have come from shady sources (the cobalt mining operations in Congo again come to mind), unknowingly or knowingly enabling this persistent condition.
Kenya is just as prone to this disorder and chaos – but fortunately not to the levels that some of its neighbors have. And for good reason – it is because the complete overhaul of its 1963 freedom constitution sets forth very clear and iron-clad provisions with regard to taking care of Kenya’s natural resources.
So how are Kenyans expected to keep their country clean and beautiful when there are no environmental rights in the country? How would you let people know what they need to do in order to keep the country healthy and attractive for the tourist? The environmental right in the constitution is responsible for doing that.
Let’s take a look at the Kenyan Constitution’s protections in a nutshell.
1. The Implementation Of Forest Cover Quotas
There should be ten percent trees in the land area of the Kenya to cover the environment and to keep the place healthy and green.
2. The State’S Important Role In Informing
The state should keep encouraging the people in making environment healthy and make the people participate in such things like planting and making it healthy.
3. The State’S Role In Awareness Programs
Government should start the awareness program for the people who are doing activities which can risk the environment. The government should let them know what are the risks of not living in the healthy environment.
4. The State’S Role In Responsible And Sustainable Use
To save the environment, a government should use the natural resources and let the people know about the benefits of living in the healthy environment. Utilize the natural resources to keep the country healthy.
5. Protection Of Biodiversity
Protect the sources of genetic and biological diversity to increase the resources as well as to keep the place healthy.
6. Legal Liabilities For Offenders
Government should let people know that if they will try to damage the natural resources in the country through their activities then they will sue the person and they have to pay back to the country.
7. Personal Responsibility Enhanced
Violation of environmental regulations will result in a complaint against the person which will then be sent to the courts for litigation.
8. A System Of Audit
Establish a system where monitoring and auditing of the environment are important to analyze how Kenya’s environment is doing and monitoring its flora and fauna constantly.
9. Initiatives For Sustainable And Organic Agriculture
For the benefit of the people and to bring them towards the natural products, a government should start selling things which are organic to stop damaging the plants and to stop damaging the environment due to which global warming is increasing day by day.
And that’s pretty much everything the new constitution says – by no means is the fight over, but at least it’s a good foundation.