Mangrove forests are more than natural barriers against waves and storms. Along Kenya’s coastline, they form part of the natural infrastructure supporting food security, livelihoods, cleaner water, climate resilience and community wellbeing. Their loss therefore carries consequences beyond biodiversity.
Kenya has about 61,000 hectares of mangrove forests along its coastline, with Lamu County holding the largest share.
These forests reduce coastal erosion, absorb wave energy, filter pollutants and provide breeding grounds for fish and other marine species. They also sustain communities that depend on coastal resources.
Henry Komu, a Senior Research Scientist at the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (Kefri), says the contribution of healthy mangroves to human wellbeing is often overlooked. Some species have traditional medicinal uses, while healthy forests provide spaces for recreation that promote psychological and social wellbeing. Nature-based enterprises such as beekeeping and ecotourism also generate income.
Their ability to store carbon further strengthens communities’ resilience to climate change.
When mangroves are degraded, communities lose vital ecosystem services. Declining fish stocks threaten food security and livelihoods, while increased exposure to erosion, flooding and other climate-related shocks heightens vulnerability.
Komu argues that mangrove conservation and restoration should adopt a ‘One Health’ approach, recognising the interconnected health of ecosystems, people and livelihoods. This requires moving beyond tree planting to restoring ecological processes, including natural tidal flows and sediment dynamics.
Natural regeneration should be prioritised where conditions allow. Where planting is necessary, appropriate species and quality seedlings must be matched to suitable sites. Communities should also participate in planning, restoration, protection, monitoring and benefit sharing.
The Kenya Forest Service and coastal county governments should strengthen protection of existing mangrove forests, support science-based restoration and place community livelihoods at the centre of conservation efforts.
Success should not be measured by the number of seedlings planted but by the recovery of ecosystems, biodiversity and livelihoods, and their ability to sustain resilient communities.
For Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale, Tana River and Mombasa, protecting mangroves is therefore an investment in public health. Safeguarding these forests means protecting the water, food, livelihoods and climate resilience on which coastal communities depend.