JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF LAW, KAREN CAMPUS

LSC 2406: ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

COURSE OUTLINE

YEAR 4

INSTRUCTOR: HANNAH KAGURU

Course Purpose: To introduce students to the law relating to the environment.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

1. Explain the concept of environment

2. Discuss the function and structure of environmental law
3. Evaluate the environmental problems at national, international, regional and
international levels and the response of the law
4. Analyse the interface between sectoral environmental laws and framework
environmental law
5. Critique Kenya’s environmental law and policy

Course Description

The concept of the environment. Principles shaping environmental law and policy. Major threats
to the World’s environment today; the law on atmospheric pollution; wildlife; biodiversity;
climate change. International environmental law aspects; international watercourses; the marine
environment; settlement of environmental disputes. Kenya’s legal and institutional framework on
environmental law.

Teaching Methodologies

Lectures, tutorials, case method, discussion groups, projects, class presentations

Instructional Materials/Equipment

LCD Projector, computers and other ICT white board

Course Assessment

Continuous assessment test 10%, assignment 10%, presentation 10%; end of semester
examination 70%.

Core Texts
1. Okidi, C.O., P. Kameri-Mbote & M. Akech, M. (eds), Environmental Governance in
Kenya, Implementing the Framework Law, EAEP, Nairobi, 2008, ISBN 9789966255822
2. Okidi, C.O. & Patricia Kameri Mbote, The Making of a Framework Environmental Law
in Kenya, ACTS Press, Nairobi, 2001
3. H. W. O. Okoth Ogendo & Godber Tumushabe, Governing the Environment, ACTS
Press, Nairobi, 1998

Additional References
1. Hunter, D., Salzman, J. & Zaelke, D., International Environmental Law and Policy, 4 th
Ed.,, Foundation Press, New York, 2010, ISBN 1599415380|9781599415383
2. P.W. Birnie, P.W., Boyle, A. and Redgwell, C., International Law and the Environment,
3rd Ed., Oxford U.P., Oxford, 2008, ISBN 9780198764229
3. B. Stuart & D. McGillivray, Environmental Law, 7th Ed., Oxford U.P., Oxford, 2008,
ISBN 9780199211029

Other References
1. Constitution of Kenya, 2010
2. Convention on Biological Diversity, 31 ILM 822 (1992)
5. Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movement of hazardous Wastes and their
Disposal, 28 ILM 657 (1989)
6. Geneva Convention on Long Range Trans-boundary Air Pollution, 31 ILM 1330 (1992)
7. Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, 26 ILM 154 (1987)
8. Rio de Janeiro Declaration on the Environment and Development, June 16, 1992, UN
Doc. A/CONF. 151/5
9. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, 33 ILM 1328 (1994)
10. UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, 31 ILM 849 (1992)
11. Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, 26 ILM 1529 (1989)
12. Our Common Future, The 1987 report of the UN World Commission on the environment and
Development (Brundtland Commission)
13. the UNEP Registrar of Treaties in the field of Environment
14. Agenda 21
15. 1972 Declaration on the Human Environment (Stockholm Declaration.
16. Sessional Paper 1 of 1999 on national Policy on Water resources Management AND
Development Government Printers, Nairobi, 1999
17. Agreement on the Nile Basin Cooperative Framework
18. Sessional Paper 9 of 2005 Forest Policy

Statutes

Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act, No. 9 of 1999

Public Health Act, Cap 242
The Water Act Cap 372

The Forests Act Cap 385

The Physical Planning Act cap 286

The Wildlife management and Coordination Act cap 376

The Petroleum (Exploration and Production)Act Cap 308

The Agriculture, fisheries and Food Authority act, Act No. 13 of 2013

The Radiation Act cap 243

The Fisheries act Cap 378

The Maritime Zones Act Cap 371

The Energy Act Cap 314

The Mining Act Cap 306

The Land Act No.6 of 2012

The Land commission Act No.5 of 2012

The Energy act No.12 of 2006

The Geothermal Resources act no.12 of 1982

The Environment and Land Court act no.19 of 2012

The Land Control Act cap 302

Plant Protection Act Cap 324

Biosafety act Cap 321A

Case law

The Ogoni case at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Case of Guerra & Others v Italy (1998) 26 EHRR 357

Oneryildiz v Turkey (2005) 41 EHRR 20

Waweru v Republic [2006] 2 EA 349

Friends of Lake Turkana Trust v Attorney general and 2 others (2014) e KLR

Oposa v Factoran 1993 Philippines case

Joseph Leboo & others v Director Kenya Forest Services & Anor. (2013) eKLR

Joseph Letuya & 21 others v Attorney General & 5 Others (2014) e KLR

SPECIFIC ARTICLES AND MATERIALS INCLUSING ADDITIONAL CASE LAW

SHALL BE REFERRED TO DURING THE COURSE OF THE SEMESTER

COURSE OUTLINE

1. Environment, Conflicts and Environmental Education

The Concept of Environment:

• Environmental problems from a global perspective (climate change, ozone depletion,

species extinction, loss of biodiversity, environmental [Link])
• Environmental issues and or conflicts from a national perspective (water pollution, air
pollution, noise pollution, waste and sanitation management, food security, poverty, land
use and management etc)
• Environmental education and its aims Environmental law defined
• Functions of Environmental Law
• Foundations of national environmental law
• Sustainable development
• Implementation, enforcement and compliance of national law
• Implementation of international environmental law at the national level

2. Meaning and Functions of Environmental Law

• Sources of Environmental Law
• Principles shaping Environmental Law and Policy
• Application of environmental law principles and concepts in Kenyan Law and Kenyan
Jurisprudence
3. International Environmental Law & Governance
• Development of Environmental Law from an International Perspective
• Stockholm Declaration 1972
• Our Common Future, Brundtland commission Report 1987
• The Rio Declaration 1972
• Agenda 21
• Sources of International Environmental Law
o Law of treaties
o Customary international law
o General principles of law
o Judicial decisions and qualified teaching
4. Overview of Kenya’s Environmental Management and Coordination Act
• Background and evolution of EMCA
• Key provisions
• Institutions Created under EMCA and their Roles
• Environment Impact Assessment
• Standards
• Enforcement and Compliance
5. Wildlife and Biodiversity management
• Defining biodiversity
• Wildlife resources and their Conservation in Kenya
• Laws and policies onWildlife Management
• The Convention on Biodiversity and its relevance for Kenya
6. The Law Relating to Water Resource Management
• Water Resources
• Issues in watercourse Law
• Kenya’s Water Act :Institutions, Critique of the Act and Reforms thereunder
7. The law relating to Forest Conservation and Management
• Forests and their Classification
• Functions of forest
• Laws and policies on Forest management in Kenya
• Overview of the Forest Act
• Role of Communities in Forest Management

8. CLIMATE CHANGE
• What is climate change?
• Causes and Effects of Climate Change
• The United nations framework Convention on climate Change 1992
• The Kyoto protocol1997
• Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change
• Climate Change and land Use
• Kenya’s Response to Climate Change
9. Procedural Aspects of Environmental Management
• Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration
• Access to Information
• Access to Justice
• Public participation
• Public interest Environmental Litigation
• Role of the Courts in Environmental Management

10. SETTLEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DISPUTES

• Nature of Environmental Disputes
• Methods of settling disputes
• Dispute resolution mechanisms under EMCA
o Role of NET and PCC
• ADR and Environmental Disputes