Critical Review Of Prosopis Juliflora Species In Turkana County, Kenya: Current Status For Informed Policy Decision And Management Of The Species

Abstract

Prosopis juliflora is among one of the world’s most invasive alien species that is widely spreading in Kenya natural grazing lands due to its adaptive physiological characteristics. The species came from south Africa with the intention of benefiting the people living in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL), which ironically resulted in more harm than good. Turkana and Baringo are heavily hit counties whose people are suffering from the continuous expansion of land under Prosopis. Their speedy growth, development and colonization of an area are driven by the climate, existence of large herds of livestock, government policies and topography. To completely eradicate the species from agricultural land, it calls for an integrated approach that will bring together mechanical, chemical and biological methods of controlling Prosopis. To that extent, the Kenya government should enact appropriate policies governing its spread and detach Prosopis invested land from gazette government forest.