AN EVALUATORY STUDY OF A ROCHA KENYA’S CHRISTIAN APPROACH IN CONSERVATION OF NATURE IN KILIFI COUNTY
Keywords:
Christianity, Motifs, Degradation, ConservationAbstract
Purpose: Despite the efforts ARK has put in place with regard to environmental conservation, Kilifi County still faces a lot of environmental degradation resulting from stone cutting and sand harvesting which renders several hectares of land scarred with pits and devoid of vegetation cover. The study focused on the input of Christianity on nature conservation in this county.
Methodology: The study employed qualitative methodology to acquire primary data. Purposive, convenience, homogenous and snowballing sampling techniques were used to identify respondents for interviews and focus group discussions. The study also utilized documentary analysis which was done by analyzing ARK’s publications like brochures, newsletters, magazines and even minutes from seminars to establish the organization’s environmental conservation in depth. Guided by the objectives, the raw data was collated and arranged thematically.
Findings: It was realized in the study that deforestation, quarrying and sand harvesting were the major forms of environmental degradation in Watamu and Marafa which has led to vulnerability of wild animals and birds and a scarcity of medicinal herbs. The major contributing factors towards this environmental degradation were poverty and population increase, development and ignorance. Further, it was established that care for creation and environmental stewardship are the Christian obligations towards nature. As a response towards environmental degradation, Christian communities in Watamu have established employment opportunities to curb the environmental degradation menace.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: There is need to create more awareness on the importance of forest and its resources so as to create a positive attitude towards its conservation. Again there is need to train people to embrace proper farming methods like FGW done by ARK.
Downloads
References
A Rocha Kenya (December 2014). Nature conserved, people transformed. Issue No. 4.Karen/Watamu, Kenya.
Adongo C. (2014). The effects of utilization of tree products on conservation of Kaya Mudzimuvya forest in Kilifi County, Kenya.
Appollon S. (2014). Convergent knowing: Explorations of a sustained and “sustainable”-Theological Reflection on science, environment, and Liberation.
Babbie E. (2007). The practice of social research; 11th ed .Thomson Higher Education 10 Davis Drive, Belmont, CA 94002-3098, USA.
Barbara P; Filipa S.B.F. Oliveira and Francisco S.(2011). “Coastal Erosion Management in Algerve (Portugal)- a beach nourishment case study”. Coastal Research special issue No. 61 proceedings of the third international conference, management of recreational resources 27th_30th October 2010 Grosseto, Tuscany, Italy pp. 328-334.
Bett, G.K (2015). The Role of the Catholic Church in Environmental conservation in Kericho County, Kenya.
Boff L.(1995). Ecology and Liberation. A new paradigm, trans, J.Cumming, Maryknoll, NY. Orbis.
Brundtland. (1987).World Commission on Environment and Development, ‘Our Common Future’, New York and Oxford; Oxford University press.
Bryman, A. (2008). Social research methods. 3rd ed. Oxford University press. New York, UK.
Campbell, David J. and Olson, Jenniffer M.( Spring 1991). “Environment and Development in Kenya: flying the kite in Kajiado district.” The centennial Review, vol. 35, No. 2 pp.295-314.
Cao Shixiong, Li Chen and Liu Zhande.(Ambio 2009). “An investigation of Chinese attitude towards the environment: case study using the Grain for Green project”. Ambio, vol. 38, No. 1 pp. 55-64.
Christiansen, R. (2009). Environmental Concerns of the WCC. An Ecumenical Review
Clifford, Anne M.”(Fall 1992). Feminist perspective in science: Implications for an ecological theology of creation.” Journal of feminist studies in Religion, vol. 8, No.2, pp. 65-90
Denzin, N.K & Lincoln, Y.S (2011). The Sage handbook of Qualitative Research 4th ed. Sage publications ltd , Oliver’s Yard, 55 city Road London EC1Y 1SP, UK.
Duraiappah, A. (1996). Poverty and Environmental Degradation: a Literature Review and Analysis
Freire S., Santos T. and Tenedorio J.A. (2009). “Recent urbanization and land use/ land cover change in Portugal-the influence of coastline and coastal urban centers” Coastal Research; International coastal symposium vol.11 pp. 1499-1503.
Fulata Moyo (ed.) (2002). Christianity and the Environment; care for what you have been given. Christian Literature Association in Malawi, Blantyre. Malawi.168.
Gecaga, M. (1999). ‘ Creative Stewardship for a new Earth’, In Getui, N. M and Obeng, A.E (Eds). Theology of Reconstruction Exploratory Essays Nairobi Action publishers
Getui, N.M (1993). ‘Mission of the church and concern for the environment’. Nairobi; Uzima publishers
Gottlieb, R. S ( Eds)( 1996). This sacred earth: Religion, Nature and Environment. New York; Routledge publishers
Gumo. S, Gisege. S, Raballah. E and Ouma.C (2012) Communicating African Spirituality through Ecology: Challenges and Prospects for the 21st Century MDPI AG, Basel, Switzerland
Hawley, Susan (1998). Proclaim Liberty: reflections on theology and debt.
Hilson, Gavin (March 2002). “The Environmental impact of small scale gold mining in Ghana: Identifying problems and possible solutions.” The geographical journal. vol., No. 1 pp. 57-72.
Huxham, M. (2009). Managing mangroves and capturing carbon in Kenya. Earthwatch;Napier University, Edinburgh
Infield, M. and Namara, A.(2001). Community attitude and behavior towards conservation: An assessment of a communityprogramme around Lake MburoNational park, Uganda. Oryx 35(1):48-60
Jenkins, Willis (June2009). After Lynn White: Religious Ethics and Environmental Problems. Journal of Religious ethics, pp. 283-309
Kearns Laurel (Spring 1996). “Saving the creation: Christian Environmentalism in the United states.” Sociology of Religion, vol. 57 No. 1, pp 55-70.
Kothari,C.R (2004). Research methodology: Methods and techniques. New age international ;(p) Ltd publishers.Daryaganj, New Delhi
Kumar, R. (2005). Research methodology, A step by step guide for beginners; 2nd ed. Sage publications Ltd, Oliver’s Yard 55 City Road, London EC1Y 1SP.
Lane Dermot A. (May 2005). “Ecology and Theology”, vol. 56, No. 5, pp. 313-314.
Larry L. Rasmussen (1995). The Integrity of Creation: What can it mean for Christian Ethics.
Larry L. Rasmussen (1997).Earth community, Earth Ethics.
Maundu, P.(1993). Socio-economic survey and forest attitude report of the community bordering Arabuko-Sokoke and game reserve, Nairobi: Unpublished Report of the Kipepeo project
Mbiti, J.S. (1969).African religions and Philosophy Second Edition London. Heinemann publishers
Michaelson, G. W. (1992). Redeeming the creation: The Rio Earth summit-challenges for the churches, Geneva , WCC publications.
Michaelson, G. W. (1994). ‘Creation in Ecumenical Theology’ Ecological voices from South and North, Granvollen Report, ed David Hullman ( Geneva, WCC publications and Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books)
Michaelson, G. W.(1988). Liberating life: Contemporary Approaches to Ecological Theology. WCC.publications, Annecy, France.
Msafiri, G.A (2007). Towards a credible environmental ethics for Africa: A Tanzanian perspective, Nairobi; Catholic University of Eastern Africa
Mugenda, O.M. & Mugenda, A.B.(1999). Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, Nairobi. Acts press.
Mukaria, A. Ratanya. (2013).Theological Ambiguities: A challenge to a constructive ecotheology in Africa
Mukaria, A.Ratanya,(2017).Towards constructive ecotheology: The Mau forest complex degradation and the response of the church.
Nida, E.A. (1954). Customs and cultures California. William Carey Library.
Nobert Psuty and Maria Eugenia S.A. Moreira. (Summer 1992). “Characteristics and Longevity of beach nourishment at Praia Da Rocha, Portugal”. Coastal Research vol. 8 No.3, pp. 660-676
Nyamweru, C.(2007).African sacred groves: Ecological Dynamics and Social change. Oxford and Athens, O.H: James and Currey and Ohio University press.
Nyamweru, Celia. (2003). Women and Sacred Groves in Coastal Kenya: A Contribution to the Eco-feminist Debate. Row man and Littlefield, USA.
Obeng, E. (1999).’ Healing the groaning creation in Africa’ In Getui, N.M and Obeng, E (Eds). Theology of Reconstruction: Exploratory essays. Nairobi: Action publishers
Pope John Paul 2nd (1996). ‘The Ecological Crisis: A Common Responsibility’, In Christiansen, D and Grazer, W.(Eds) And God Saw that It was Good: Catholic theology and the environment. Washington DC; United States Catholic conference
Ruether, R.R.(1992). Gaia and God: An Eco-feminist Theology of Earth Healing, HarperSanFrancisco, SanFrancisco, California
Santmire, H. Paul.( 1985).The travail of nature: The Ambiguous Ecological promise of Christian theology, Minneapolis, Fortress press.
Scherrer, Yvonne M. (2009). Environmental Conservation NGOs and the Concept of Sustainable Development. Springer vol. 85 pp.555-571
Shaiko, Ronald G. (June 1987). Religion, Politics and Environmental concern: A powerful mix of passion. Social science Quarterly, vol. 68 No. 2
Sideris H. Lisa (2004). Environmental Ethics, Ecological Theology and Natural selection
Sinclair, Collins & Spaling (2011) p. 42-53. The role of participant learning in community conservation in the Arabuko-sokoke forest, Kenya
Susan, R. (2013). Christian Faith and the Earth conference; Theological Reflection and Action The WCC Ecumenical Review
Swiderska (2015). Environment and Development, IIED 80-86 Gray’s In Road, London, UK
Yordy, R.L (2008).Green Witness: Ecology, Ethics and the Kingdom of God. Eugene, Ore.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work’s authorship and initial publication in this journal.
