Evaluation of the impact of anthropogenic activities on sustainable use of medicinal biodiversity in realization of Kenya’s vision 2030 agenda for sustainable development

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities are posing a serious threat to Kenyan medicinal biodiversity and its contribution in the provision of traditional medicines and the potential of getting new drug discoveries. This poses a challenge to the country’s achievement of vision 2030 development agenda as envisaged under the health sector. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of anthropogenic factors such as settlement, cultivation, mining and bioprospecting activities on sustainable use of Kenyan medicinal biodiversity in realization of vision 2030 sustainable development agenda. The research article adopted a mixed methods approach including use of desk research and qualitative interview administered to 14 organizations involved in conservation of medicinal biodiversity in the country. Results showed that anthropogenic activities are not carried out in a way that guarantees conservation and sustainable use of medicinal biodiversity because of lack of collaboration, inappropriate legal frameworks and clash of roles occasioned by unclear demarcation of mandate among the organizations meant to safeguard medicinal biodiversity. A strong stakeholder’s collaboration is recommended to manage and develop medicinal biodiversity and its sustainable use since it has a great potential to support a robust cultural and social economic development that will lead to realization of the country’s 2030 agenda for sustainable development.