CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

i) Introduction

Climate change is no longer a distant threat—it's happening now, and its effects are being felt
across the world. From rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall to frequent droughts and
floods, our planet is going through a major transformation. For wildlife and natural ecosystems,
this poses serious risks. In Kenya, which relies heavily on biodiversity for tourism, food, and
culture, the effects of climate change are especially worrying.

Nairobi National Park, located just outside the busy capital city, is one of the country’s most
famous conservation areas. It is home to many iconic animals like lions, zebras, giraffes, and
rhinos. The park plays an important role in conservation, education, and tourism. But today, the
park is under pressure. Long dry spells are drying up rivers and watering holes. Food is
becoming scarce. Animals are leaving the park in search of better conditions—and this brings
them into conflict with people.

These changes are affecting the way conservation is done. Strategies that worked in the past may
no longer be effective. Park managers and conservationists are having to adapt quickly to keep
up with the new realities. This study aims to understand how climate change is affecting Nairobi
National Park and what it means for the future of conservation in the area.
ii) Background of the Study

Kenya has always been known for its wildlife. For decades, it has protected large areas of land to
conserve animals and natural habitats. Nairobi National Park, the first of its kind in East Africa,
was created in 1946. It is a unique place—not many cities in the world can say they have a
national park on their doorstep.

The park is about 117 square kilometers in size. It has open grasslands, scattered acacia trees,
rivers, and wetlands. Many different species live here, including some that are endangered.
Tourists and researchers from all over the world visit the park. However, in recent years, the
situation has changed.

Rain patterns are no longer regular. Some seasons bring too much rain and cause flooding, while
others are completely dry. This affects the growth of grass and other plants that animals depend
on for food. Rivers that used to flow all year are drying up. When animals can’t find enough food
or water, they move out of the park and come into contact with farms and homes. This causes
problems between people and wildlife.

On top of that, the park is surrounded by roads, industries, and housing estates. These
developments block migration routes that animals used to rely on during dry periods.
Conservation programs are struggling to keep up with these new challenges. There is a need to
review and strengthen these efforts to make them more suitable for the current climate.
iii) Statement of the Problem

The effects of climate change are clearly visible in Nairobi National Park. The once predictable
wet and dry seasons are now uncertain. This makes it difficult for park managers to plan for the
future. When it doesn’t rain for long periods, the grass doesn’t grow. Water holes dry up.
Animals suffer, and some die.

To survive, wild animals such as zebras, buffaloes, and even predators like lions leave the park
in search of food and water. This often brings them close to human settlements, where they may
destroy crops, attack livestock, or scare people. These human-wildlife conflicts are becoming
more common.

At the same time, conservation organizations are finding it harder to do their work. Resources
are stretched. Rangers have to work harder to monitor animals and deal with emergencies. The
cost of providing water and food during droughts is very high. Many of the strategies that
worked in the past are no longer enough.

This study will investigate how climate change is affecting conservation programs in Nairobi
National Park and what can be done to help wildlife and ecosystems survive in this changing
environment.
iv) Objectives of the Study

General Objective:
To investigate the effects of climate change on conservation programs in Nairobi National Park.

Specific Objectives:
1. To examine the impact of irregular rainfall patterns on wildlife habitats in Nairobi National
Park.
2. To assess how rising temperatures have influenced vegetation and water availability within the
park.
3. To investigate how climate change has affected the migration patterns of wildlife in Nairobi
National Park.
4. To evaluate the effectiveness of current conservation programs in addressing climate change
impacts.
5. To identify the challenges faced by Kenya Wildlife Service in implementing climate-resilient
conservation strategies.
6. To assess the level of awareness and preparedness among park staff regarding climate change.
7. To examine the influence of human-wildlife conflict as a result of climate-driven habitat
shifts.
8. To determine the role of technology in supporting conservation efforts under changing
climatic conditions.
9. To analyze the contribution of local communities in mitigating the impact of climate change
on conservation.
10. To provide recommendations on how conservation programs in Nairobi National Park can be
strengthened in light of climate change.
v) Research Questions
1. How has irregular rainfall affected the habitats of wildlife in Nairobi National Park?

2. In what ways have increasing temperatures impacted vegetation and water sources within the
park?

3. How has climate change influenced the seasonal migration behavior of wildlife in the park?

4. Are the current conservation programs effectively addressing the effects of climate change?

5. What specific challenges does Kenya Wildlife Service face in climate-resilient conservation
planning?

6. How well-informed and prepared are the park staff regarding climate change issues?

7. Has climate change increased incidents of human-wildlife conflict in areas surrounding the
park?

8. What technologies are currently being used to support conservation under climate stress?

9. How are local communities participating in conservation efforts to combat climate change?

10. What strategies can be adopted to enhance the resilience of Nairobi National Park’s
conservation programs?
vi) Significance of the Study

This research is important for several reasons. First, it helps us understand how climate change is
affecting one of Kenya’s most famous parks. Nairobi National Park is special because it’s so
close to the city—what happens here can give us clues about how to manage other parks in
similar situations.

Second, the study can help the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and other groups make better
decisions. It provides real-life information that can be used to improve park management,
policies, and resource allocation. This can lead to better protection for animals and the
environment.

Third, it also benefits people who live near the park. By understanding the causes of human-
wildlife conflict, better solutions can be found that help both communities and animals live in
peace.

Lastly, the study adds to the growing body of knowledge on climate change and conservation. It
can be used by students, researchers, and policymakers who want to learn more about this
important issue.
vii) Limitations of the Study

Despite the researcher’s best efforts to ensure a comprehensive and effective study, several
limitations are anticipated. First and foremost, the study will be conducted within Nairobi
National Park only, which may not fully represent all conservation areas across the country. Each
park in Kenya has its own unique challenges, ecosystems, and level of climate exposure.
Therefore, generalizing the results beyond Nairobi National Park should be done with caution.

Secondly, due to time and financial constraints, the research will rely mainly on a sample of
selected respondents such as park staff, environmental officers, and a few local community
members. This may limit the diversity of views captured, especially from other key stakeholders
like tourists, researchers, or government officials who may have additional insights on climate
change and conservation efforts.

Thirdly, access to recent and reliable data might be a challenge. Some of the most current
statistics or reports on climate change and its impact may be limited, unpublished, or unavailable
to the public. As a result, the study may depend on older or secondary sources, which might not
reflect the most recent changes and trends.

Additionally, some respondents might be unwilling or hesitant to give full information,

especially if they fear their responses may reflect negatively on their departments or employers.
Others might provide biased or socially desirable answers instead of honest opinions. This could
affect the overall accuracy of the research findings.

Lastly, unpredictable weather conditions or changes in park accessibility due to ongoing

conservation activities or security measures might also interfere with the data collection
schedule.
In summary, although the study strives for accuracy and objectivity, it acknowledges that
limitations related to location, sample size, data availability, respondent bias, and logistical
challenges may affect its overall scope and findings.
viii) Scope of the Study

This study will specifically focus on the effect of climate change on conservation programs
within Nairobi National Park. The park, being one of the oldest and most iconic in Kenya,
provides a unique setting for studying climate-related challenges in urban conservation zones.
Nairobi National Park is ideal for this research because it sits near a highly populated city and
still hosts a wide variety of wild animals, which makes it vulnerable to both environmental and
human-induced pressures.

The study will mainly examine how rising temperatures, irregular rainfall patterns, droughts,
floods, and other climate-related issues have affected conservation efforts such as wildlife
protection, water resource management, vegetation cover, and habitat sustainability within the
park. It will also explore the strategies put in place by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and other
stakeholders to mitigate or adapt to these challenges.

Geographically, the research will be limited to Nairobi National Park and its immediate
surroundings, including bordering communities that interact with the park ecosystem. The target
population for this study will include Kenya Wildlife Service officers, park rangers, local
environmental groups, and selected community members who have direct or indirect
involvement in conservation activities.

The study period will cover the most recent decade, from 2015 to 2025, to assess both the trends
and the short-term impacts of climate change on the park’s conservation outcomes. Data will be
collected through interviews, questionnaires, and review of relevant documents and reports.

The study will not attempt to assess climate change effects on the park’s tourism income, tourist
behavior, or global policy responses. Instead, it will strictly focus on conservation outcomes and
related ecological measures. Other parks, though equally important, are not included due to
limited time and resources
By narrowing the focus to Nairobi National Park, I aims to provide in-depth insights into how
one major protected area is coping with climate change—information that may be used as a case
reference for similar parks in the region.

ix) Conceptual Framework

This study is guided by a conceptual framework that helps to show how climate change affects
conservation programs in Nairobi National Park. A conceptual framework is like a roadmap. It
helps organize the study by showing the connection between what is causing change (the
independent variable) and what is being affected (the dependent variable).

In this research, climate change is the independent variable. This includes things like rising
temperatures, irregular rainfall, long periods of drought, and sudden floods. These are the things
that are changing naturally or due to human activities and are believed to be causing stress to the
park.

The dependent variable is the state of conservation programs in the park. This includes how
wildlife is managed, the health of the environment, availability of water, and how well the Kenya
Wildlife Service and other stakeholders are able to respond to problems caused by climate
change.

There are also some factors that can influence how strong or weak this effect is. These are called
intervening or moderating variables, and they include things like government support, funding
for conservation, awareness among staff and communities, use of technology, and local
participation. These don’t directly cause change, but they can make the effects of climate change
on conservation better or worse.
Example of how this works:

If the climate becomes hotter and drier (independent variable), it may lead to drying up of water
sources and migration of animals to other places. This, in turn, affects conservation work
(dependent variable), as rangers may struggle to manage the animals, or conflicts may rise when
animals leave the park and enter farms or residential areas.

Independent variables Dependent variables

Climate change Effectiveness of conservation