Kenya

Kenya
Overview

Environmental protection education for sustainable development is included within Kenya’s Basic Education Act, and Kenya is working to align its national curricula with the Sustainable Development Goals and the UNESCO Global Action Programme on Education for Sustainable Development. The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in Kenya led the development and implementation of a National Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) policy, and the Office of the President mandates that public institutions incorporate environmental education and awareness (EE&A) into their work. Kenyan environmental education professionals are active within the Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa (EEASA).

National Legislation

The Constitution of Kenya (2010) Article 10d makes sustainable development a national value, while Article 55 makes education a human right. The Basic Education Act (2013) Section 42 mandates the Minister of Education to promote environmental protection education for sustainable development. Kenya has a National Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Policy (2015), and the Ministry of Education is finalizing the framework policy for implementation of ESD within the education sector.

EE in K-12 Education

Kenya has integrated environmental education in all levels of education since 1982, with reviews completed in 1992 and 2002. Currently, a major curriculum review is underway to align education to the Kenya Constitution (2010), the Sustainable Development Goals, and the UNESCO Global Action Programme on Education for Sustainable Development.

Professional Development

Kenyatta University offers undergraduate and Master’s degree courses in Environmental Education. The Kenya Education Management Institute offers a professional certificate course in Education for Sustainable Development.

National Associations

Although Kenya does not have its own national environmental education association, some Kenyan EE practitioners are members of Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa (EEASA).

Furthermore, the Kenya Environmental Education Network’s (KEEN) works to advance environmental learning and inspire lifelong stewardship of the environment. KEEN aims to create a network of environmental education professionals, environmental clubs and organizations in Kenya and work strategically and collaboratively towards advancement of action-oriented environmental learning in Kenya – to enhance environmental literacy and ensure that citizens are actively engaged in environmental stewardship and contribute towards a healthy and sustainable future. KEEN uses approaches such as awareness creation, advocacy and education; training and capacity building; community outreach; exchange visits and volunteer placements programmes; enviropreneurship; online environmental education resource center; enviro-mapping; conferences and forums and awards ceremonies. Their main programs are Green Schools, Green Youth and Enterprises, Green Faith, and the Excursion, Ecotourism and Outdoor Education program.

EE in the National Government

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has a Directorate in charge of Environmental Education headed by a Director. This Directorate coordinates EE in the country and steered the development and implementation of a National Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Strategy (2008), and National Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Policy (2015).

National EE Campaigns and Funding

The Office of the President in Kenya mandates that each public institution implement environmental sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), integrating these efforts into annual work plans and report progress each quarter. Environmental education and awareness (EE&A) forms part of the targets to be implemented by each institution. Implementation of this target is supervised by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). Hence each public institution sets aside funds for EE&A. (See https://ayubmacharia.com/2016/11/25/framework-for-implementing-sustainable-development-goals-sdgs-in-kenya)

Organizations

African Fund for Endangered Wildlife
Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa (EEASA)
Kenya Education Management Institute
Kenya Environmental Education Network
Kenya Organization for Environmental Education
Kenya Wildlife Service
Kenyatta University
National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
Wildlife Clubs of Kenya