Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Dr Deborah Barasa, has emphasized the critical role of mangrove conservation in achieving the country's climate resilience goals.

During World Mangrove Day celebrations in Lamu County, she highlighted that Kenya's 61,271 hectares of mangroves, with Lamu County holding nearly two-thirds, are vital for protecting coastlines, fisheries, and thousands of households.However, the country loses 0.7% of its mangrove cover annually due to illegal logging, pollution, and coastal development, threatening ecosystems and livelihoods.

Barasa linked mangrove restoration to Kenya's 15 Billion Trees by 2032 Programme, stressing that these forests underpin eco-tourism, fishing, and sustainable forest products.

Stakeholders at the event called for stronger governance, community-led conservation, and private sector investment to safeguard mangroves while ensuring coastal communities benefit.

The National Mangrove Ecosystem Management Plan 2017-2027 faces challenges, but renewed efforts aim to balance environmental protection with economic opportunities.Barasa also noted Kenya's role in global climate advocacy, urging wealthy nations to fulfill climate commitments.The urgency to protect mangroves is clear, as their decline impacts both biodiversity and the nation's climate goals.