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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].