Joyce Mramba, Coordinator Tuna Women Group says women’s involvement in fishing has
improved their daily earnings and enhanced their livelihoods. Photo|Jamine Atieno

How communities are empowering women to engage in the blue economy

By Ruth Keah
rkeahkadide@gmail.com
In the coastal village of Kipini in Tana River County, Joyce Mramba, 55, has become a household name among the fishing community. Her mission is clear: to empower women and raise awareness to ensure they benefit from the blue economy and transform the lives of many in the predominantly Muslim community.

A section of the Mtopanga river as it drains into the Indian ocean. The river cuts through the Pirates Beach. Photo credit_Kemunto Ogutu.

Mtopanga: Breathing New Life to a ‘Dead’ River

By Kemunto Ogutu and Steve Mokaya

Over the years, Mtopanga, the only river on Mombasa Island, had become a dumping site for all manner of waste. It was an illness that flooded homes, drove out tourists, caused recurring outbreaks of waterborne diseases and left the Jomo Kenyatta (Pirates) Beach in a sorry state.

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Mashirika Afrika yatoa hoja tano uwezeshaji nishati mbadala COP28

MASHIRIKA ya Kiraia ya Afrika (CSOs) yametoa tamko lenye hoja tano kuhusu malengo ya nishati mbadala kwa Afrika katika Mkutano wa Umoja wa Mataifa wa mabadiliko ya tabianchi(28) unaoendelea Dubai,Falme za Kiarabu.

Moja ya vipaumbele vya Afŕika katika COP28 ilikuwa kupata mikataba ambayo ingewekeza mara tatu katika nishati mbadala katika bara baada ya Mkutano wa Kilele wa Hali ya Hewa wa Afŕika kushindwa kutoa matokeo kabambe kuhusu nishati mbadala.

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Wataalamu wataka fidia ya haraka athari mabadiliko tabianchi

MASHIRIKA ya Kiraia ya Afrika (CSOs) yametoa tamko lenye hoja tano kuhusu malengo ya nishati mbadala kwa Afrika katika Mkutano wa Umoja wa Mataifa wa mabadiliko ya tabianchi(28) unaoendelea Dubai,Falme za Kiarabu.

Moja ya vipaumbele vya Afŕika katika COP28 ilikuwa kupata mikataba ambayo ingewekeza mara tatu katika nishati mbadala katika bara baada ya Mkutano wa Kilele wa Hali ya Hewa wa Afŕika kushindwa kutoa matokeo kabambe kuhusu nishati mbadala.

Nduta Waweru explains the importance of looking at the big picture when it comes to reporting on biodiversity. PHOTO: MESHA

Explore intricate link between biodiversity, tourism, and livelihoods for greater impact, journalists told

Nduta Waweru guides journalists on how to report on biodiversity, linking it to livelihoods and tourism.

By Kemunto Ogutu | kemuntoogutu@gmail.com 

As science journalists continue to report on biodiversity in Kenya’s hotspots, editors and researchers believe that the link between tourism culture and biodiversity is an intricate one that journalists should fully explore.

In a study published in the ‘International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks’, researchers noted that “Ecotourism has been gaining momentum in biodiversity hotspots pertaining to its potential to boost both rural livelihoods and environmental conservation. It has the ability to alleviate poverty, which is profoundly embedded in several areas of society.”

Addressing journalists during a biodiversity reporting training by MESHA Science on Nov 23, 2023, facilitators emphasized the need for journalists to focus on holistic reporting on biodiversity as this would produce more impactful stories.

The editors, who led the discussions on biodiversity reporting, guided the journalists in the training on how to report on the subject.

Nduta Waweru, an editor for Sayansi Magazine, discouraged journalists from overlooking positive stories and focusing on negative ones. “Often we disproportionately cover negative aspects of biodiversity loss, neglecting positive stories of successful conservation efforts, community-led initiatives, or species recoveries. This can contribute to a sense of hopelessness and despair,” she said.

Waweru also noted that many journalists erroneously focus on the ‘biodiversity big shots’, often neglecting the less iconic species that play equally important roles in ecosystems. 

Kenya boasts of several unique biodiversity hotspots such as the Lamu archipelago, Kisite Marine Park, Arabuko-Sokoke forest and Kakamega’s equatorial forest. All these hotspots, Waweru said, offer great tourism attractions and draw the attention of many researchers and conservationists.

However, many biodiversity reporters overreport on these famous hotspots that have long been in the conservation headlines. Waweru advised them to consider telling biodiversity stories in cities, which she said, are important ecosystems that should never be overlooked.

In reporting science stories, journalists should tailor their reports to resonate with their local audiences. By informing them on the impacts of biodiversity and its influence on livelihood, culture, and well-being, communities will take greater interest in such stories.

They should also avoid overlooking the gender lens in covering biodiversity stories as such angles often create the required balance in reporting and may breathe uniqueness into one’s stories.

Waweru emphasized the connection between tourism, biodiversity and livelihood, saying, “Tourism activities can support research and monitoring efforts for conservation. Revenues generated from tourism can also be channeled into biodiversity conservation projects,” she explained. “The revenue from biodiversity hotspots also supports local businesses, communities, and conservation initiatives.”