Kenya and Tanzania’s coastal waters harbor some of East Africa’s richest marine biodiversity, providing livelihoods to millions through fishing, tourism, and maritime trade. Yet these vital ecosystems face mounting pressure from over-fishing, pollution, habitat degradation, and climate change.
To confront these challenges, regional leaders are advancing more coordinated and sustainable approaches to ocean governance. At the forefront of these efforts is the recently launched Kilindini campaign, which promotes Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) as a strategic tool to guide the use and protection of marine resources.
In Kenya, the development of the Kenya Marine Spatial Plan (KMSP) – part of the Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) project – reflects this growing commitment. The plan is intended to foster inclusive and sustainable socioeconomic growth, conserve biodiversity, and strengthen resilience to climate change.
The KMSP provides a structured framework for allocating marine spaces across sectors like fishing, tourism, shipping, and conservation – minimizing conflicts and ensuring sustainable protection of marine ecosystems.
A promising aspect of this movement is the increasing collaboration between Kenya and Tanzania in the management of shared marine ecosystems. One key milestone is the proposed Trans-boundary Conservation Area (TBCA), a joint initiative facilitated by the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA), aimed at enhancing the co-management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and promoting regional biodiversity.
Despite strong progress at the local level, policy-level coordination has lagged. To address this, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Tanzania’s Marine Parks and Reserves Unit (MPRU) have initiated bilateral talks on policy and governance frameworks. These discussions are being supported by the African Union Inter African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and the Nairobi Convention, signaling a growing political commitment to regional marine conservation.
Spearheaded by Ascending Africa, the Kilindini campaign aligns closely with regional MSP objectives. Through policy advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building, the campaign aims to accelerate the implementation of sustainable ocean governance frameworks across East Africa.
In Kenya, the campaign supports the goals of the KMSP, while in Tanzania, it complements growing national efforts to improve marine spatial planning and coastal management.
The campaign underscores the importance of inclusive governance, cross-border collaboration, and the integration of local knowledge into marine policy. This approach is critical, especially as the region eyes the expansion of its blue economy – a sector that includes fisheries, maritime trade, offshore energy, and marine tourism.
As momentum builds, the Kilindini campaign is not just a call to action but a blueprint for what collaborative, science-based marine management can achieve. By uniting governments, communities, and stakeholders around a shared vision, the campaign is helping to transform ocean governance from fragmented efforts into a cohesive regional strategy. With continued cooperation and commitment, Kenya and Tanzania can lead the way in creating a sustainable blue economy that benefits people and preserves marine life.