Let’s start from the top…………….

Chapter 3 Article 13
In part 2(q) of this article the national goals and values include the recognition of the state to future generations by pursuing policies for the sustainable management of the environment.

Chapter 4 Article 24
In 1(n) of this article a duty is put on all citizens to protect the environment and natural resources. This is a welcome addition to the proposed constitution as it calls for public participation in environmental issues.

Chapter 6 Article 66
This article states that every person has the right to water in safe and clean quantities.

Chapter 6 Article 67
This article entrenches the right to a clean and safe environment as a fundamental human right for every person in Kenya . It implies that sustainable development is part and parcel of this right and is therefore constitutionally backed. Pollution, conservation and access to information on the environment are also mentioned. In entrenching this right an important message is passed to policy makers and individuals that environmental matters are as important as the other national concerns mentioned, ensuring that environmental matters will take a key place in policy discussions.

Chapter 8
Chapter 8 of the proposed constitution is titled ‘Environment and Natural Resources’. Unlike the current constitution that does not even mention the word ‘environment’, this proposed constitution has dramatically and significantly improved on this by placing principles and obligations in relation to the environment on the state.
These include: ensuring sustainable utilization of natural resources;
ensuring that cultural values applied by communities are sustainably manageable;
promoting energy saving and use of renewable energy as well as ensuring a tree cover of at least 10% of the land area of Kenya.
Parliament is also obliged to enact legislation to give full effect to the provisions of the chapter.

Chapter 13 Article 200
This article calls on parliament to enact legislation that creates a court that deals with disputes relating to the environment, the use, occupation, and the title to, land.