Environmental Displacement within Kenya

A Search for Legal Protection Frameworks

Abstract

Human displacement is expected to be one of the main impacts of environmental change in the years to come. This article examines the applicable legal frameworks at the international, (sub-)regional and national levels that serve as protection mechanisms for persons residing in Kenya who have been forced to leave their homes due to environmental problems or changes, but remain within the borders of the country. The second part of the article discusses three specific categories of environmental displacement that occur in Kenya: (i) displacement due to natural disasters, (ii) development-induced displacement, and (iii) displacement as a result of environmental conservation programmes. The article concludes with some recommendations on appropriate strategies for the protection of persons environmentally displaced within Kenya.