Kenya: A Natural Outlook: Geo-Environmental Resources and Hazards

Kenya is a thriving country in East Africa: its economy is largely based on the natural environment that frames the tourism sector, mainly through safaris and holidays on the coast. The natural environment also underpins the second largest industry: agriculture. Kenya’s social, technological, and industrial developments are a reference for many neighboring countries. Kenya plays a leading role in Africa and attracts huge amounts of investments. Furthermore, the humanitarian community has made Nairobi its base for international headquarters and regional offices. This makes Kenya a possible model for development and investment in its widest sense.

This book aims at updating the holistic view on Kenya’s natural environment and resources. It provides a sound scientific introduction to this country’s physical and socioeconomic setting and its evolution through time and will appeal to a broad audience of students – in Kenya and abroad – as well as those working in the development and humanitarian sectors and to international donors looking for a scientific compendium on Kenya’s environment. Its structure and references allow the reader to deepen his or her knowledge of every theme touched on in the book.

Section One: Natural Resources
1. General geology. Norbert Opiyo Akech, Christine Omuombo, and Moses Masibo
2. Minerals, oil and gas resources. Norbert Opiyo Akech, Moses Masibo and Daniel Olago
3. Relief, physiography and drainage. Maina Gichaba
4. Quaternary evolution. Daniel Olago
5. Climate, John P. O. Obiero and J. O. Onyando
6. Remote sensing applications for water data in Kenya: case study. John Bosco and Kyalo Kiema
7. Mara River case study. Michael E. McClain and Amanda L. Subalusky
8. Groundwater distribution and aquifer characteristics in Kenya. Zachariah Kuria
9. Coastal waters. Christine A. Omuombo, Daniel O. Olago and Eric O. Odada
10. Renewable energy resources in Kenya. Oludhe
11. Soils. Christian Thine Omuto
12. Vegetation. Andreas Brink et al.
13. Agricultural expansion and its consequences in the Taita Hills, Kenya. Petri Pellika et al.
14. The importance of fire ecology and management in protected areas. Ilaria Palumbo et al.
15. Importance and dynamics of the mangroves in Kenya. Kirui et al
16. Freshwater ecology of Kenyan highlands and lowlands. Dorothy Wanja Nyingi et al.
17. Wildlife management. Mordecai Ogada and Dorothy Wanja Nyingi
18. Environmental impact assessment in Kenya. Elijah K. Biamah et al.
Section Two: Natural Hazards
19. Seismic hazard. Josphat K. Mulwa, Fumiaki Kimata and Nguyen Anh Duong
20. Landslides. C. Maina-Gichaba, Enoch K. Kipseba and Moses Masibo
21. Floods in Kenya. Alfred Opere
22. Coastal erosion. Christine A. Omuombo, Daniel O. Olago and Eric O. Odada
23. Combined Drought Index applications in Kenya. Zoltan Balint et al.
24. Conclusions. Paolo Paron, Daniel Olago and Christian Thine Omuto