Dr Patrick Omondi who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) making his remarks during a stakeholder meeting on listing of the proposed Msambweni- Vanga Ramsar site in Kwale County at North Coast Hotel in Kilifi County on Wednesday, August, 6, 2025. Photo by Ben Okweingoti 
By Ben Okweingoti
Plans to ratify the first-ever transboundary marine Ramsar site between Kenya and Tanzania are gaining momentum, with environmental stakeholders ramping up efforts to formalize the project.
Spearheading the initiative is the Wildlife Research Training Institute (WRTI), working in close collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and other partners. The proposed site, covering 716 square kilometers, spans the Msambweni-Vanga coastal circuit in Kwale County and extends into northern Tanzania—making it the first marine Ramsar site of its kind in the region.
WRTI Chief Executive Officer Dr. Patrick Omondi, together with KWS Coast Region Senior Assistant Director Elema Habicha, officially launched a comprehensive stakeholder engagement process. This will include consultations with local communities and the Kwale County Government to map out additional land and harmonize conservation efforts.
Dr. Omondi assured residents that the Ramsar designation will not disrupt their daily livelihoods. Instead, he said, it will boost sustainable tourism, attract international investment, and position Kwale County on the global conservation map.
“To list a Ramsar site, you need coordinated data, site designation, detailed mapping, and a clear understanding of the site's significance. The local community must be engaged from the start, and together we must define how this site will be managed for future generations,” said Dr. Omondi.
He emphasized that the Msambweni-Vanga Ramsar site, being a sea-land mosaic, offers a unique ecological landscape and that local communities will continue benefiting from the natural resources they depend on.
“This is a landmark initiative. It’s an open and inclusive process. No one will be displaced or stopped from pursuing their livelihood activities,” he added.
Representing Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi, KWS's Elema Habicha called for a robust and sustainable funding model to support ongoing conservation, research, and community development efforts.
“The designation of this site will elevate its global status and unlock new opportunities in sustainable financing, eco-tourism, climate resilience, and wildlife protection,” said Habicha.
“We must now work toward a sustainable funding mechanism that ensures compliance with Ramsar requirements while promoting equitable benefit-sharing for local communities. This calls for unity and coordination among government bodies, research institutions, development partners, and the private sector.”
The endorsement of the Ramsar site dossier for formal submission signals Kenya and Tanzania’s shared commitment to cross-border conservation and inclusive environmental governance.
