𝐂𝐒 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐚 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚'𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐮

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Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Deborah M. Barasa, today led Kenyans in commemorating the 2026 International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem at Majengo Grounds in Lamu County.

The CS was joined by Lamu County Governor H.E. Issa Timamy, Investment Promotion Principal Secretary Mr. Abubakar Hassan who was representing his Forestry counterpart, Secretary for Forest Development Mr. George Tarus , Secretary Administration Mr. Patrick Meso, senior officials from the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), as well as representatives of development partners.

In her keynote address, Dr. Barasa emphasized that Kenya's approximately 61,271 hectares of mangrove forests are invaluable natural assets that protect coastlines from erosion, sustain fisheries and coastal livelihoods, conserve biodiversity, and store significant amounts of blue carbon. She noted that Lamu County hosts nearly 61 per cent of the country's mangrove forests, making it central to Kenya's efforts to restore degraded coastal ecosystems, strengthen climate resilience, and advance the blue economy.

The Cabinet Secretary reaffirmed the Government's commitment to the 15 Billion Tree Growing Programme. She highlighted key policy and institutional frameworks guiding these efforts, including the National Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Strategy, the National REDD+ Strategy, the National Mangrove Ecosystem Management Plan and the National Mangrove Ecosystem Restoration Guidelines, which are promoting sustainable forest management, enhancing ecosystem resilience and unlocking climate finance opportunities.

Speaking during the celebrations, Governor Timamy reaffirmed the County Government of Lamu's commitment to working closely with the National Government to accelerate mangrove conservation and restoration. He pledged the county's full support towards achieving the national target of growing 15 billion trees by 2032.

Dr. Barasa also commended successful community-led restoration initiatives, including Mikoko Pamoja in Gazi Bay and Seatrees in Marereni, describing them as practical models of how local communities can restore degraded mangrove ecosystems while generating sustainable livelihoods through blue carbon financing. She further highlighted the ongoing Lamu Blue Carbon Project, which aims to restore and conserve, approximately 4,000 hectares of mangrove forests while creating economic opportunities through participation in carbon markets.

During the celebrations, the CS unveiled the newly rebranded KEFRI National Centre of Excellence for Mangrove and Estuarine Research and Development, reaffirming the Government's commitment to science-driven conservation and sustainable management of Kenya's coastal ecosystems. The Centre will serve as a national hub for research, innovation, restoration technologies and policy development to strengthen mangrove conservation, enhance climate resilience, support the blue economy and improve community livelihoods.

To strengthen ecosystem protection, Dr. Barasa directed the Kenya Forest Service to enhance participatory forest management, tasked the Kenya Forestry Research Institute with advancing research and innovation in sustainable forestry, and urged the County Government of Lamu together with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to intensify waste and effluent management to protect critical coastal and marine ecosystems for present and future generations.

Official unveiling of the Lamu National Centre of Excellence in Mangrove Forestry and Estuarine Research and Development at the KEFRI Forestry Research Centre in Lamu County.

Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa, E.G.H., of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, presided over the official unveiling of the Lamu National Centre of Excellence in Mangrove Forestry and Estuarine Research and Development at the KEFRI Forestry Research Centre in Lamu County. Joined by Lamu County Governor H.E. Issa Timamy, KEFRI Board Chairman Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Walter Koipaton, and KEFRI Director General Dr. Jane Njuguna, the Cabinet Secretary marked a transformative milestone in Kenya's dedication to safeguarding coastal ecosystems through science, innovation, and strategic partnerships.

This newly unveiled institution holds immense importance for the nation, serving as a vital hub to strengthen research, innovation, and evidence-based policymaking for mangrove and estuarine management. Beyond conservation, the Centre is designed to drive sustainable community development by advancing fisheries, ecotourism, and high-value agroforestry while facilitating technology transfer and skills development. By empowering youth and women, fostering green economic opportunities, and building local climate resilience, the institution plays a critical role in reducing resource-based conflicts and firmly advancing the Government's commitment to biodiversity preservation and the blue economy.