In a powerful observance of World Oceans Day, regional stakeholders from government, academia, civil society, and the private sector convened at Serena Beach Resort & Spa in Mombasa to spotlight the critical role of marine ecosystems in the region’s future. The event, themed “Our Ocean, Our Future: Optimizing Blue Marine Economies and Protecting Through Collective Action,” called for urgent, coordinated responses to protect and sustainably harness ocean resources.
Hosted by Ascending Africa, the event served as a rallying point for the Kilindini Campaign, a growing regional alliance spanning East Africa and the South West Indian Ocean (SWIO) region. The campaign is focused on building an accountable, inclusive, and regenerative blue marine economy driven by community leadership, indigenous knowledge, policy innovation, and sustainable investment.
Speaking during the breakfast session, Tendai Mtana, Kilindini Campaign Spokesperson, emphasized the importance of unity and ownership in safeguarding marine ecosystems.
“We are here today not just to commemorate World Oceans Day, but to chart a new course. This is defined by shared values, inclusive economics, and a deep respect for our ocean heritage,” Mtana said. “Our campaign is rooted in the principle that ‘Bahari Yetu ni Urithi’ (Our Ocean is Heritage). This is a moment to come together and define what that heritage will look like for future generations.”
The Kilindini Campaign comes at a pivotal time, as East Africa and the SWIO region face rising challenges such as Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF), loss of marine biodiversity, and minimal community representation in ocean governance frameworks. The campaign aims to reverse these trends through four key pillars:
- Strengthening community-led marine conservation
- Promoting locally owned blue enterprises
- Elevating traditional ecological knowledge and intangible heritage
- Driving equity-based regional policy engagement
The initiative brings together countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Mauritius, creating a multi-stakeholder platform to unify action and drive shared ocean prosperity.
At the event, participants were treated to the screening of short documentaries that showcased the creativity, resilience, and conservation work of coastal communities. These films highlighted real-world examples of how local innovation can lead to effective ocean protection and sustainable livelihoods.
In breakout sessions and panel discussions, stakeholders tackled key questions around:
- Financing and scaling up locally led marine solutions
- Improving data access and knowledge sharing
- Enhancing regional cooperation against IUUF
- Aligning on and signing the Kilindini Campaign Guiding Principles
The breakfast meeting also served as a platform to mobilise broad support for the campaign’s next phase. All stakeholders were encouraged to:
- Endorse the coalition’s vision and guiding principles
- Commit to at least one campaign activity—such as community storytelling, event partnerships, or outreach
- Nominate new partners, innovation hubs, or thought leaders
- Amplify the campaign’s messaging through institutional or personal platforms
“This is more than just an event – it is the birth of a regional movement for blue marine transformation,” added Mtana.
“We are building adaptive leadership in an adaptive climate, one that supports the livelihoods of our ocean’s stewards and places local voices at the heart of ocean governance.”
The Kilindini Campaign is currently launching stakeholder working groups, developing white papers on blue marine investment and governance, and executing grassroots engagement plans across the region. The campaign aims to consolidate commitments and present a unified regional voice.
“Today, we shape a different path, one led by the people who live, fish, protect, and depend on these waters every day,” Mtana concluded, adding that, “We call on every partner, policy-maker, entrepreneur, and citizen to join us in reimagining our ocean’s future.”
