Kenya has an abundance of untapped maritime resources along its Coast.
The maritime and coastal ecosystems are extremely valuable in terms of providing ecosystem services, with many people earning their livelihood through them.
Rather than polluting or destroying these resources, the relevant bodies must come up with ways to harness and protect them, for the ecosystem to be balanced and sustainable.
Despite some initiatives being launched, such as the Go-Blue initiative, they need to be strengthened.
The Go-Blue initiative was launched to protect Kenya's Coastal ecosystem by creating environmentally-friendly jobs in recycling, tourism and small-scale fishing which will lead to a sustainable blue economy in six coastal counties and enrich communities with jobs for youths and women.
The interaction between the species in the ecosystem must lead to a self-sustaining system without depletion of natural resources.
Just like any other investment, the government should invest in the blue economy sector and the most beckoning sector the tourism industry.
This is due to our comfortable and enjoyable coastal sandy beaches and warm coastal climate.
I urge the government and tourism sector to smoothen policies and create effective and efficient ways for tourist attractions along with our coastal ecosystems.
The government should also come up with sustainable approaches to economic growth while developing new work streams for example; small-scale fishing, waste recycling, aquaculture and tourism.
People also need to be enriched with technical skills in the blue economy sector.
The government should also tackle regional challenges facing the blue economy.
The increasing pressure on climatic change is also alarming.
Let's focus on restoring coastal, marine ecosystems and protecting the ocean assets.
To curb climate change, policies towards coastal ecosystems should be strengthened.
This will lead to environmental conservation, fulfilment of urban planning goals and initiatives which will help coastal cities to adapt to adverse effects of climatic change.
Kenyan Coast is a big deal for the blue economy, let the relevant bodies help in tapping untapped maritime resources and also help in curbing the alarming climatic change, restoration of the mangrove ecosystem and empowering the community.
Remember, long term plans will help us propel forward.
Student at Maseno University
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
