RCE Central Kenya

Date of RCE Acknowledgement:
November, 2014

Description of RCE and Geographic Region:
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.

Organisation Hosting RCE Secretariat:
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology

Goals and Objective:
Vision:
RCE Central Kenya seeks to ress 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

Key Partners:
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