The Theme of Environmental Conservation in Different Colours and Terrorists of the Aberdare by Ng’ang’a Mbugua

Abstract

This study examines how Ng’ang’a Mbugua has presented the causes and effects of environmental degradation, human-wildlife conflict and proposed strategies of environmental conservation in contemporary Kenya. It discusses different ways in which the natural environment is degraded as presented in the novel Different Colours and the novella Terrorists of the Aberdare highlighting the relationship between environmental degradation and social, economic and political issues of a people. The research illuminates how human beings are the main cause of environmental degradation through their means of production either for sustainability or for production. The study was guided by Formalism Theory and the Post- Colonial Ecocriticism Theory. It shows the significance of conserving the natural environment to individuals, communities and the entire nation, but also highlights on environmental conservation as a complicated issue especially in relation to conservation of forests, wild animals and chemical use. Although Ng’ang’a Mbugua has presented the theme of environmental conservation differently in the two works, he seems to suggest that there is an urgent need for people to become more responsible to the environment for the present and the future generations. The research found out that studies on environmental conservation in Literature are still scarce hence a fertile ground for more related studies.