RCE Central Kenya
Overview
RCE Central Kenya covers Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang'a and Nyandarua Counties within the central part of Kenya. This region hosts two water towers; Mt. Kenya with its highest peak at 5,199 metres and the Aberdare Ranges which is a 160 km long mountain range with an average elevation of 3,500 metres.
Agriculture is the main economic activity carried out in all the four counties. Kirinyaga, Nyeri and Muranga produce large amounts of coffee and tea amongst other crops such as maize while Nyandarua County which is on the leeward side of Mt. Kenya and the Aberdares Ranges experience semi-arid conditions and thus support agro-pastoralism. Dairy farming is an important industry in all the four counties.
The region covered by RCE Central Kenya faces distinctive sustainability challenges which include depletion of water resources, loss of forest and vegetation cover, loss of biodiversity, land degradation, drug and substance abuse, increased insecurity, loss of indigenous knowledge, unexploited tourism opportunities, increased levels of poverty, poor infrastructure and low uptake of research and development.
Vision:
RCE Central Kenya seeks to address the sustainable development challenges identified within the region by facilitating multi-sectoral research and development, protecting the eco-systems, building the capacity of local communities in natural resource management, providing a platform for shared learning on sustainable development and building sustainable livelihoods for the local communities.
Goals and objectives of the RCE:
- To protect and conserve natural resources and bio-diversity
- To build the capacities of local communities in natural resources management
- To promote adoption of technologies and innovations that strengthen SD
- To establish partnerships and networks
- To engage in multi sectoral research and development on emerging issues
- To provide a platform for shared learning on SD- dissemination of information and best practices
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology
Name of organisation: National Environment Management Authority
Role: The National Coordinating Agency
Contact name: Mr. Shieni Koiyiet
Contact email: skoiyiet@gmail.com
Name of organisation: Dedan Kimathi University of Technology
Role: Hosts RCE Central Kenya
Contact name: Prof. (Eng.) P. M. Wambua, FIEK
Contact email: dvcrtmcl@dkut.ac.ke
Activities
- Reclamation and rehabilitation of riparian areas and wetlands
- Conservation of endangered bird species in Nyandarua County
- Establishment of alternative livelihood projects such as fish farming, wool spinning and bee keeping for local communities
- Spring protection in Nyeri and Muranga Counties
- Research on endangered bird species
- Establishment of tree nurseries, tree planting and growing
- Successfully implemented a project on climate change adaptation for communities in Kieni constituency
- Establishment of alternative livelihood projects for local communities
- Building the capacity of communities on natural resources management
- Recruitment of partners and stakeholders to the RCE Central Kenya
- RCE Central Kenya stakeholders meetings held annually for over 5 years
Projects
Communication Channels
Contact Details
dvcrtmcl@dkut.ac.ke
irene.mwangi@dkut.ac.ke
Prof. (Eng.) P. M. Wambua, FIEK
Deputy Vice Chancellor, RTMCL
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology
P.O Box 657-10100, Nyeri-Kenya
