Analysing policy gaps in protecting avian species from electrocution and power-line collision in Kenya

Summary As countries transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, impacts on wildlife, particularly avian species, have become a concern. In Kenya, the effects of human-made infrastructure such as power lines and wind turbines on birds have been overlooked. To prevent further loss of biodiversity, it is necessary for infrastructure development policies to consider these impacts on birds. We aim to identify gaps in current policies by analysing the intersection of wildlife conservation and power-line infrastructure development in Kenya. Through content analysis, we evaluate the effectiveness of existing wildlife protection and energy-related policies and identify strengths and weaknesses to highlight areas for improvement. Our analysis reveals that current policies neglect threats posed by power lines and other infrastructure to birds. This oversight points to challenges such as a lack of awareness among policymakers and stakeholders and a lack of legal obligation for energy institutions to implement mitigation measures; conservationists may also face conflicts with those responsible for electricity distribution. Addressing these policy gaps is essential for effective wildlife conservation and sustainable development. This paper underscores the need to integrate wildlife conservation considerations into energy infrastructure planning to mitigate adverse impacts on avian species.