Biodiversity Conservation in Kenyan Protected Areas: Challenges and Opportunities

Kenya is renowned for its diverse ecosystems spanning savannahs, forests, and coastal regions, which are home to a rich array of flora and fauna. A comprehensive review approach was employed, synthesizing existing literature, reports, and case studies from various sources on biodiversity conservation practices within Kenya's protected areas. Analysis revealed a significant decline (30%) in mammal species diversity across the country’s protected areas over the past decade, with threats primarily attributed to habitat loss and poaching activities. These findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced collaboration between governmental bodies and local communities in conservation efforts. The reviewed literature highlights persistent challenges such as inadequate funding, insufficient enforcement of regulations, and a lack of community engagement in biodiversity management. However, there exists potential for leveraging technological innovations like citizen science initiatives to enhance monitoring and conservation activities. In light of the identified issues, it is recommended that policymakers prioritise increased investment in research and development, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and foster closer partnerships between protected area managers and local communities to ensure effective biodiversity preservation in Kenya’s diverse ecosystems. Biodiversity Conservation, Protected Areas, Citizen Science, Community Engagement, Policy Mechanisms The empirical specification follows $Y=\beta_0+\beta^\top X+\varepsilon$, and inference is reported with uncertainty-aware statistical criteria.