In order to capitalize on the rapidly expanding blue economy sector, the Kilifi county government will create a full-fledged department to address issues concerning the ocean, marine conservation, and sustainable development.
According to Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro’s Personal assistant Ben Mulwa, the department would work with all stakeholders in the county to ensure they benefit from the blue economy and uplift the tourism sector.
Speaking to journalists during this year’s International Ocean Coastal Clean up Day in Malindi Mr Mulwa said the governor was happy to be part of the event as a clean environment insisting that promoting tourism is in line with his agenda to revive the sector.
“The Governor has said doors are open for all those investors with plans to help revive the ailing tourism sector in Kilifi,” he said.
The Clean up was attended by Stakeholders from the tourism sector, conservation groups, Jambo Jet Airline company, Beach Management Units, fishermen, the Business community, Progress Welfare Association of Malindi, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), County and national government together with locals who divided themselves into teams to clean up the areas along the ocean line.
In Mayungu which was one of the areas being cleaned the landing site was in a bad state with a lot of plastic wastes, bottle tops, and rubber among other wastes that are a threat to Marine life.
Mulwa who represented the Governor who was attending the governor’s induction in Mombasa said as a county their aim is to see benefits from the Indian ocean.
” When the Governor met with the Malindi business community last week he said his government would establish a Beach Management Policy which is important as all stakeholders involved shall be able to understand their responsibilities, ” he said.
Further, he said the Beach management policies shall help the county in ensuring the cleanliness of the environment of the beaches all the time.
Mulwa said for the county to rip from the Blue Economy there is a need to conserve the environment adding that Mung’aro was committed to spearheading the process.
Progress Welfare Association of Malindi (PWAM) Secretary Effue Opiyo said as a town they have tried to sensitize the residents and stakeholders on the importance of cleaning the environment.
She said as an association they normally conduct clean-ups every second Saturday of the month.
“Today we are glad that most of the stakeholders managed to reach out even after having our clean up last weekend to come and celebrate together the far that we have come, especially as a town,” she said.
Opiyo said they have been cleaning, collecting waste and encouraging the youth women, and beach operators on how it is important for them to understand the value of plastic waste and solid waste in general.
The enlightenment she said has made people create jobs for themselves through recycling and reusing plastic waste.
KWS Senior Sergeant Abu Bocha said as KWS they are doing clean up in all the beaches adding that it was important for marine life.
He said cleaning up the beach saves lives for endangered species so that future generations can also see.
“Its very important to prevent the plastics from going to the ocean to save sea life and even human beings that depend on the fish for survival,” he said.
He called on all stakeholders including the County government to cooperate and ensure the beaches are clean for a better environment.
Malindi Sub County Environment Officer Lennox Mwangolo said they were grateful because of the support they receive from stakeholders and mostly the office of the Governor that graced the occasion.
Samuel Karani the Chairman of Mayungu BMU said cleaning the Oceans will help improve tourism and conserve the environment.
“As a Chairman I support the exercise going on here and hope it will continue. We thank the support we are receiving from KWS too,” he said.
