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WWF International
Avenue du Mont-Blanc
1196 Gland
Switzerland
Press Trip Naivasha, Kenya
Tel: +41 22 364 9111
Fax: +41 22 364 5358
www.panda.org
Saturday 11 November 2006
Kenya’s agriculture paying the price for climate change
WHAT’S THE STORY: Hotter days and more erratic rainfall in Kenya’s Naivasha-Malewa basin are playing
havoc with the region’s all important agricultural sector. The changing climate in this central part of Kenya is
causing increased uncertainty for farmers.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT: Climate change is driving up average global temperatures and causing
unpredictable rainfall patterns. This is also true in the Lake Naivasha region. The climate change impacts come on
top of other environmental problems in the region, especially deforestation. The combined effects result in
increased flash floods and in more unpredictable stream flows that affect agriculture, the main economic mainstay
in this part of Kenya. Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake with an area of 145km2 and a catchment of 2,378km2.
Large-scale horticultural farms cover an estimated 50km2 and employ approximately 30,000 people who are
attracted to the area from all over Kenya.
JOURNALISTS WILL VISIT:
Lake Naivasha (lower catchment). The lake has a wide variety of plant and animal life with 495 estimated
species - among them the red-knobbed coot, the African spoonbill and the little grebe. This region is also home to
an estimated 45 species of mammals, including a large number of hippopotami. Fisheries in the lake are
dominated by introduced species. The lakeside vegetation includes acacia woodlands and papyrus - found on the
lake’s fringe (although only about 12km2 remains because the rest were cut). The region is one of the main
agricultural centres in Kenya, also known for its large scale flower farms. You will visit Mike and Sarah Higgins who
run a wheat and maize farm along the lakeshore. The Higgins are members of a local conservation group. This
group promotes the use of fence posts made from recycled polythene waste. These are an alternative to wooden
posts that contribute to the destruction of the Aberdare Forest.
Abadare Forest (upper catchment). The Aberdares are an isolated volcanic range that forms the eastern wall of
the Rift Valley, running roughly 100km north to south between Nairobi and Thomson’s Falls. Soils are red and of
volcanic origin, but rich in organic matter. There are two main peaks, Ol Donyo Lesatima (3,999m) and Kinangop
(3,906m) separated by a long saddle of alpine moorland at over 3,000m. The topography is diverse with deep
ravines that cut through the forested eastern and western slopes and there are many clear streams and waterfalls.
The Aberdares are an important water catchment area providing water to the Tana and Athi rivers and part of
central and northern Rift Valley drainage basins. The visit will be led by John Njoroge - a local conservationist. The
community in this area is also involved in tree planting and other conservation activities, and you will have the
opportunity to visit community tree nursery.
WHO YOU’LL MEET:
Hans Verolme (Director WWF’s Global Climate Change Programme)
Dr. Taye Teferi (Conservation Programme Director, WWF-EARPO)
Mike & Sarah Higgins (Members of Lake Naivasha Riparian Association)
Mr. John Njoroge (local conservationist)
Mr Mathenge (Scientist, Kenya Wildlife Service)
WHERE YOU’LL GO:
0630-0700
0830
0900
1100
1200
1300
1500
1630
Pick-up at hotels
Arrive at WWF Naivasha/Malewa Project Office
Meet with Higgins/Sarah
Depart for upper catchment
Meet with John Njoroge
Picnic Lunch at Aberdare National Park Gate followed by meeting with Mr. Mureithi
Depart for Nairobi
Arrival back in Nairobi (approximate)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Brian Thomson, Press Officer, WWF International, T +41 22 364 9562, E [email protected] and Kimunya Mugo,
Communications Manager, WWF Eastern Africa Regional Programme Office, T +254 20 3877355, E [email protected].