EIA effectiveness and mechanisms of control

The Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (TARDA) in Kenya performed environmental impact assessments (EIAs) on four major water resources development projects between 1974 and 1988. These projects are analysed to evaluate relationships between EIA effectiveness and mechanisms of control (eg national EIA requirements). Procedural controls imposed by the National Environment Secretariat were consistently ignored by TARDA. The Authority responded to ‘instrumental controls’, ie EIA requirements imposed by foreign donors as a condition of support. However, because of a lack of donor supervision or the availability of funds from other donors, EIAs conducted in response to instrumental controls did not substantially influence TARDA's projects. The case studies also show that TARDA's EIA activity on some projects can be interpreted as a means of legitimizing previously held positions.