The Kilifi government is set to establish a Blue Economy department for issues related to the ocean, marine conservation and sustainable development.
Governor Gideon Mung’aro’s personal assistant Ben Mulwa said the department will work with all stakeholders in the county, to ensure they benefit from the blue economy and uplift the tourism sector.
Mulwa represented Mung’aro who was attending the governors induction in Mombasa.
He spoke during this year’s International Coastal Cleanup Day in Malindi on Saturday.
Mulwa said the governor is happy to be part of the clean-up, which will help promote tourism and 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 and the business community.
Also, Progress Welfare Association of Malindi, Kenya Wildlife Service, county and national government together with residents 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 littered with plastic, bottle tops, rubber among other waste that are a threat to marine life.
Mulwa 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 will establish a Beach management policy.
"The policy is important as all stakeholders shall be able to understand their responsibilities," he said.
Mulwa further said the policy shall help the county in ensuring cleanliness of the beach environment at all times.
He said for the county to reap from the blue economy there is need to conserve the environment and Mung’aro is committed to spearhead the process.
Progress Welfare Association of Malindi secretary Effue Opiyo said as a town they have tried to educate 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. We celebrate the far we have come, especially as a town,” Opiyo said.
The official said they have been cleaning, collecting waste and educating the youth, women and beach operators on waste management.
The enlightenment she said has enabled job creation through recycling plastic waste.
KWS senior sergeant Abu Bocha said they are doing the clean-up in all the beaches as it is important for marine life.
He said cleaning up the beach saves the lives of endangered species so that the future generation can also see.
“Its very important to prevent plastics from going to the ocean. It saves sea life and even human beings that depend on the fish for survival,” Bocha said.
He called on all stakeholders including the county government to cooperate and ensure the beaches are clean for a better environment.
Malindi subcounty Environment officer Lennox Mwangolo said they are grateful for the support from all stakeholders and mostly the office of the governor, which graced the occasion.
Chairman of Mayungu BMU Samuel Karani said cleaning the oceans will help improve tourism and conserve the environment.
“As a chairman I support the exercise and hope it will continue. We are also grateful for the support from KWS,” he said.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
