IUCN Kenya Delivers Biodiversity Policy Briefs for Agriculture, Forestry, and Livestock

Context The launch took place at the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, with recipients including the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization and the State Department for Livestock Development. IUCN Kenya’s Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Programme Coordinator, Charles Oluchina, said the briefs support national policy conversations and biodiversity mainstreaming in productive sectors. Deputy Director Mayiani Saino called the initiative a catalyst for government-led conservation.

Key Facts Agriculture contributes 33% of Kenya’s GDP and accounts for 40% of employment, making it a central focus of the briefs. The livestock brief addresses the needs of over 12 million pastoralists who rely on rangelands now facing degradation. BIODEV2030, implemented by IUCN and WWF‑France, coordinated by Expertise France and funded by the Agence Française de Développement, runs from 2024 to May 2026 and uses scientific reviews and multi‑stakeholder workshops to produce evidence‑based recommendations. The project aligns with the Kunming‑Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and aims to strengthen Kenya’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.

What It Means By anchoring biodiversity action in agriculture, forestry, and livestock, the briefs seek to curb monoculture expansion, reduce pesticide overuse, curb illegal logging, and improve rangeland management. If adopted, the measures could help protect critical water towers and carbon sinks while sustaining livelihoods for millions. Success will depend on translating recommendations into enforceable regulations and allocating budget resources.

Watch for the government’s response in the next legislative session and any pilot programs that test the briefs’ recommendations in selected landscapes.