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  • info@merma.or.ke

Tana River Land Use Plan Project

MERMA was one of the key family members of the Ecosystem Alliance (EA) who initiated Land Use Planning process for Tana River Delta. The alliance secured funding and support from both from the National Treasury of Kenya and the UKAid – the Department for International Development (DFID) to develop Tana River Delta land use plan;

Project Brief

The Tana River Delta Land Use Plan addresses issues that in the past have led to resource use conflicts between farmers and pastoralists in the delta, most recently in 2012-13. The Commission of Enquiry on Tana River clashes was constituted in September 2012 and among its findings was that conflict over water and land resources was partly responsible for the violence. Given the social and economic sensitivities in the Tana River Delta the Land Use Plan has been subjected to a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). It is the first time in Kenya and in Africa that a Land Use Plan is informed by a SEA, with the two processes running concurrently.The growing human population and competition for diminishing natural resources, compounded by the effects of climate change, have necessitated a drastic change in the way we do things.
  • County

    Tana River

  • Key Partner

    UKAid

The Tana River Delta Land Use Plan is a collaborative effort of various stakeholders at national, local and international levels. It is the most comprehensive milestone so far in the preparation of policy that will contribute to sustainable development of the delta. The Land Use Plan is informed by in-depth analyses of existing social economic and environmental conditions in the delta, and reviews the policies and initiatives that bear on the delta and the River Tana catchment.

Its recommendations are based on scenario building informed by extensive analyses. It includes maps, diagrams, graphics and tables on social, environmental, economic conditions and political set up. The Land Use Plan promotes regulated access, wise use and improved rangeland management that will lead to improved sustainable livelihoods, security, and equity and biodiversity conservation. Agricultural intensification will take into account Integrated Multiple Land Use Plan, Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA), and indigenous food and livestock systems and enhance agricultural, rangeland and pastoral systems within a framework of increased vegetal cover and fresh water quality enhancing sustained flow of ecosystem services including biodiversity.