Briefing Paper

Kenya’s Natural Capital – County Decision Makers

“Kenya is endowed with rich natural capital and biodiversity. Its diverse landscapes range from the Chalbi Desert in the north to the snow-clad peaks of Mt. Kenya, from the white beaches of the
Indian Ocean to the shores of Lake Victoria, and from the rolling plains of Maasai Mara to the floor of the Great Rift Valley. The interactions between
topography, soils, hydrology, plants, animals and peoples within each eco-climatic zone create locally distinctive ecosystems, including different
types of forests, woodlands, shrublands, grasslands, deserts, wetlands, lakes and rivers, montane, afro-alpine and marine ecosystems. Not all counties have the same levels of biodiversity and stocks of natural resources or enjoy the same ecosystem services. Counties in the western and central Kenya are rich in agricultural, montane, wetland, woodland and forest ecosystems, those in northern counties dry savannah grasslands
and shrublands, and the coastal counties forests, mangroves, estuaries and coral reefs. In short, natural capital and biodiversity underpin Kenya’s economic growth and the wellbeing of its
citizens.”