Joy as Sh750 million Blue Economy project is launched in Kilifi

Malindi,

Wednesday October 25, 2023

KNA by Emmanuel Masha

The Government working with development partners on Tuesday launched an ambitious Sh750 million blue economy project that is set to benefit more than 50,000 households in Kilifi County.

The Regenerative Seascapes Project for Planet Earth, Nature and People (ReSea) was officially launched by Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Sectretary Salim Mvurya at a colourful event held at Dabaso Primary School in Kilifi North Constituency, Kilifi County.

ReSea project aims at enhancing the climate and socio-economic resilience of the beneficiary households along Kenya’s coastline from Takaungu in Kilifi South Constituency to Marereni in Magarini Constituency, according to CS Mvurya.

It is part of a three-year, 30 million Canadian Dollars (about Sh3.3 billion) project being implemented by Missions Inclusive in conjunction with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature made through funding from Global Affairs Canada.

While launching the project, Mvurya said most of the beneficiaries of the project will be women and youth groups involved in climate change interventions and the blue economy.

“The project will mobilize women, youth groups and groups that are proactive in climate change and the blue economy. We want to start from zero so that the program does not work alone and we shall link it with the already existing capacities and scale so that it is in tandem with the priorities of local communities,” Mvurya said.

The CS ordered the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) and the Kenya Coast Guards (KCG) to stop harassing fishermen who use illegal fishing gear, but instead help them follow the law by empowering them acquire the right fishing gear.

“Don’t harass fishermen but help them to follow the law. I order that fishermen should not be harassed and we shall equip them with the correct fishing gear so that they can operate within the law,” he said.

Mvurya added that instead of harassing fishermen, the authorities should enlighten them on safe fishing gear that will protect the environment.

Mvurya and Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro told officials implementing the project to scale down capacity building programmes that have no benefit for the beneficiaries so that the money can uplift livelihoods instead of being spent in boardrooms.

Governor Mung’aro challenged project field officers noting that a lot of funds were being used to train and sensitize communities instead of equipping them with tools for their respective trades.

“Those who will implement this project should reduce or stop the sensitization workshops and use those funds to equip them with proper tools,” he said.

Ms Janine Cocker, the Head of Cooperation and Development at the Canadian High Commission in Kenya, said her government had partnered with a diverse array of organizations, governments and communities across the globe who share her country's vision of a world where oceans thrive and communities prosper.

“Together, we are leveraging our collective knowledge, resources and coastal expertise to make the Regenerative Seascapes project a resounding success,” she said.

Mr. Richard Veenstra, the Executive Director of Mission Inclusion, who spoke virtually, said that through the ReSea project, his organization was aiming at locally tailored solutions by collaborating closely with various stakeholders including civil society organizations, the private sector and national and local governments.

“Our primary focus is to empower women, youths and vulnerable individuals as we believe these groups possess untapped potential to be key players in sustainable development and the blue economy,” he said adding, “This collaborative horizontal approach aims to drive lasting change, benefiting both people and the environment.”

Kenya Country Representative of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Innocent Kabenga said the ReSea project would not only help invest in the prosperity but also fortify the environment.

The function was addressed by representatives of various stakeholder organizations, among them Dorothy Asuza from Mission Inclusion, Ms Betsy Njagi, the Principal Secretary for Blue Economy, Malindi Deputy County Commissioner David Lusava and Dabaso Member of County Assembly Emmanuel Changawa.

Courtesy; KNA