Paparemo Beach in Watamu which falls under the Watamu Marine Park Protected area. The County is seeking it's Management. Photo Ben Okweingoti 
By Ben Okweingoti
The Kilifi County Government is in the final stages of taking over management of the Malindi and Watamu Marine Parks from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Governor Gideon Mung’aro has revealed.
Speaking during the handover of a garbage collection truck to the newly established Watamu Municipality in Malindi Sub-County, Mung’aro said the transition is expected to be complete by the end of the year.
Accompanied by Kilifi Woman Representative Getrude Mbeyu, Kaloleni MP Paul Katana, and several Members of County Assembly (MCAs), Mung’aro emphasized the county’s readiness to assume full control of the parks, which are currently managed by KWS.
“In the coming months, between November and December, the Malindi and Watamu marine parks will be under the management of the Kilifi County Government. We shall employ local residents to run them. Only a few KWS staff will be retained temporarily to train our youth, who will be sent to Manyani for warden training,” the Governor stated.
The announcement comes amid KWS-led public participation forums on the review of conservation fees, including entry charges to the two marine parks.
During the same event, the Governor issued a caution to fishermen, urging them to avoid venturing into the high seas during the ongoing windy season. His warning follows the recent deaths of two fishermen whose boat capsized in rough waters.
To promote safe and profitable fishing, the Governor revealed plans to procure five large, modern fishing vessels equipped with safety gadgets. These will be distributed to Beach Management Units (BMUs) across Kilifi, Watamu, Mayungu, Malindi, and Ngomeni.
“When heading out to sea, ensure you have life jackets. Our new vessels will help fishermen operate under safer, more favorable conditions,” he said.
Mung’aro also called on municipalities across the county to work harder to improve cleanliness, boost investment appeal, and enhance local revenue collection. He praised Watamu Municipality for acquiring its first garbage collection truck and announced an upcoming international benchmarking trip.
“In October, I will lead the management teams of Kilifi, Malindi, Watamu, Mtwapa, and Mariakani/Mazeras municipalities to Germany to learn global best practices in waste management,” he revealed.
Local leaders including Watamu Ward MCA Ibrahim Abdi, Dabaso Ward MCA Emmanuel Changawa, and Matsangoni Ward MCA Hassan Mohamed pledged to support municipal development through adequate budgetary allocations.
“We aim to make Watamu cleaner and more investor-friendly. The garbage truck is just the beginning. Our next step is to engage local youth in night cleaning programs to maintain the town’s image as a top tourist destination,” said Abdi, who also serves as Majority Leader in the Kilifi County Assembly.
