NEWS & ARTICLES
WHATS HAPPENING ACROSS THE WIO REGION
Follow the stories, voices, and milestones shaping our ocean from coastal communities and grassroots action to regional advocacy and the global stage.
Latest Articles
In-depth features, community voices, and campaign stories from across the Western Indian Ocean. Written in the spirit of this campaign, close to the water, close to the people.
Guardians of the Ocean: Heritage at the Helm of the Blue Economy
Communities across the Lamu Archipelago are increasingly balancing livelihood needs with the protection of their coastal environment. In Matondoni, women’s savings groups supported by local conservation initiatives have transformed agriculture into a source of income, strengthening financial resilience while reducing pressure on mangrove resources. What began as a small farming effort has grown into a key driver of savings, empowerment, and expansion within the community. Further north on Pate Island, residents are turning to creative solutions to address plastic waste, including repurposing discarded bottles into community spaces that support tourism and local enterprise. Across the islands, traditional practices such as dhow sailing and fishing remain central to both culture and conservation, linking identity and survival to the health of marine ecosystems. Together, these efforts reflect a broader shift along Kenya’s coast where conservation is increasingly integrated with daily life, livelihoods, and cultural heritage, positioning communities as active stewards of the ocean and its future.
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Kenya Marine Mammal Network
Along Kenya's coastline, a growing network of scientists, fishers, tourism operators, conservationists, and local communities is transforming the way marine mammals are studied and protected. The Kenya Marine Mammal Network (KMMN) has created an innovative citizen science platform that enables anyone who encounters dolphins, whales, or dugongs to contribute valuable data to marine conservation efforts. Since its establishment, the network has grown to more than 200 contributors and recorded over 2,100 marine mammal sightings, dramatically expanding knowledge of Kenya's marine biodiversity. Through simple reporting tools, community members help document species, identify emerging threats, and support rapid responses to stranded or injured animals. Beyond research, the network is creating opportunities for coastal communities through sustainable marine tourism, environmental education, and youth engagement. The data generated by citizen scientists has contributed to important conservation outcomes, including the identification of critical marine mammal habitats and the establishment of internationally recognised marine conservation areas. In an era of rapid environmental change, the Kenya Marine Mammal Network demonstrates the power of collective action, proving that effective conservation begins when communities become active participants in protecting the ocean they depend on.
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Between the Waves and the Shore: A Lifeguard’s Perspective on Ocean Safety and Community Along Kenya’s Coast
At sunrise along the beaches of Kwale County, the ocean appears calm and inviting. Tourists stroll across the sand, fishermen prepare their boats, and children race toward the waves. Yet beneath that beauty lies an environment that demands knowledge, awareness, and respect. For Tabitha "Tasha" Wangui Kariuki, a lifeguard and swim instructor with Kwale Water Rescue, protecting lives goes far beyond responding to emergencies. It means educating communities about ocean safety, safeguarding fragile marine ecosystems, and helping people understand the risks hidden beneath the surface. From dangerous rip currents and changing tides to coral reef conservation and Kenya's growing drowning crisis, Tasha's work reveals the deep connection between public safety and environmental stewardship. Along the coast, every rescue, every swimming lesson, and every conversation about ocean awareness contributes to a larger mission: building safer relationships between people and the sea. As Tasha often says, "People protect what they understand." Protecting the ocean, she believes, is ultimately inseparable from protecting people.
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Official announcements from EAWLS, WIO-C, and Oceans 5. Formal statements, partnership news, and organisational updates for media, partners, and stakeholders.
event updates
What happened, what was said, and what it means. Short dispatches from OOC sessions and WIO-C side events.
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