Invasive Species in Eastern Africa: Regional Status, Initiatives, and Linkages

Helida Oyieke
Centre for Biodiversity
National Museums of Kenya
P.O. Box 40658
Nairobi
Kenya
Telephone: (+254) 2-742445
Fax: (+254) 2-741424
Email: Biodive@nbnet.co.ke, Nmk@museums.or.ke, or nmk@africaonline.co.ke

Eastern Africa is a region experiencing a number of biological invasions, some of which have had significant consequences on the socio-economic status of the countries affected. Of current major concern is water hyacinth in Lake Victoria, an economically important water body shared by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The species has also spread to several other smaller water bodies. A recent preliminary survey on invasives in the region reported the occurrence of 37 species. Out of these 20 are plants, 5 vertebrates, 9 insects, 1 invertebrate and 2 micro-organisms. Some of these species are under control while a considerable number are out of control and hence causing great concern. Countries in the region share most of the listed invasives and the scenarios create platforms for building local, national and regional management strategies as well as linkages. Some of these platforms are already put to use. A case in point is that of management of water hyacinth in the Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project (http://www.lvemp.org/) where both biological and mechanical control methods are in use in a regional setting. However, gaps still exist which need to be filled in order to develop further and strengthen linkages among relevant government and non-government institutions. It is only through concerted local, national, and regional efforts that invasives can be effectively managed or eradicated in the region.

For more information about the National Museums of Kenya and the Centre for Biodiversity, see www.museums.or.ke/.