Genesis, initiation and institutionalization of integrated coastal zone management practice in Kenya

Abstract

The current review paper highlights the evolution of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in Kenya for enhanced coastal planning and development. Initial training on Integrated Coastal Area Management (ICAM) led to the development of an Action Plan for piloting at Jomo Kenyatta Public Beach (Mombasa) and at Diani-Chale and Wasini (Kwale). Baseline information for wider actions was thus generated leading to the the Kenya Coastal Management Program (KCMP). The implementation of the Action Plan enabled the government of Kenya to adopt the ICZM tool for marine and coastal management. The ICZM approach was further upscaled by Kenya’s National Environment Action Plan (NEAP) and the Kenya Coastal Development Project (KCDP). Kenya’s new governance system through devolution, and its desire to promote the Blue Economy adds synergy to the full acceptance of the ICZM tool. Currently, various stakeholders are moving towards ICZM tool – a method of solving the intricate and interlinked issues of the coastal and marine environment.