Unraveling the Implementation of Kenya’s Environmental Diplomacy Pillar in Mitigating Air Pollution: A Case of Nairobi City County
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Date
2024-04
Authors
Kimiti, Paul G.
Ichani, Xavier Francis
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IJRISS
Abstract
Environmental issues have in recent decades occupied center stage in international politics with increasing
adoption of agreements on the environment signifying a shifting focus by states to greater cooperation on
environmental matters. Air pollution has attracted the most attention internationally due to its link to climate
change which has had devastating effects globally. Different states have therefore adopted international
environmental treaties and initiated diverse policies and actions domestically in an attempt to change the
trend in air pollution. The implementation of these measures has however been criticized as air pollution
continues to rise. Kenya’s environmental diplomacy pillar under the foreign policy document of 2014
committed the country to sustainable environmental management as a contribution to international
environmental efforts. Evidence however indicates that air pollution continues particularly in Nairobi City
County. This study therefore sought to examine the envisioned implementation of the pillar in the context of
other existing environmental laws. The areas of focus included establishing the extent to which the pillar has
been implemented, the agencies involved and their capacity and the detailed implementation framework.
Other areas were the extent of domestication of environmental treaties on air pollution and the envisioned
impact of Kenya’s environmental diplomacy pillar at the grassroots level. The study employed exploratory
research design and targeted 130 key informants from institutions concerned with environmental matters
from which a sample of 30% was drawn. It used both primary and secondary data. Data was analyzed using
descriptive statistics and conceptual content analysis and the results were presented in a narrative supported
by tables. The study recommends formulation and publicization of a detailed implementation framework for
the environmental diplomacy pillar to clarify linkages between international and domestic environmental
actions and synergize efforts at the different levels. It also calls for adequately resourcing institutions
involved in the implementation of the pillar and seeking partnerships to enhance local capacity for air
pollution management.
Description
Article
Keywords
Air pollution, environment, environmental diplomacy, environmental diplomacy pillar
Citation
Kimiti, P. G., & Ichani, X. F. (2024). Unraveling the Implementation of Kenya’ s Environmental Diplomacy Pillar in Mitigating Air Pollution: A Case of Nairobi City County. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 8(3), 2387-2404.