Kwale County is one among the Counties that is rich in natural resources, however there are issues significant in Kwale County that either direct or indirect affect the development of its natural resources. these issues include:
• Emergence of large-scale mining that could impact negatively on other natural resources
• Human- wild life conflicts especially around Shimba Hills National Reserve and Samburu/Mackinnon areas of Kinango
• Increased extraction of wood fuel for various industries and institutions
• Limited capacity and lack of awareness among the community groups on the responsibilities and opportunities available to them in natural resource management.
• Lack of tangible benefits sharing mechanisms for revenues generated though Natural Resources exploitation.
The above issues are critical to Kwale County because these touch on the livelihoods, security, and health of the community as well as the immediate fate of the natural resource base. A disconnect between the community and the natural resource base is detrimental both to the community and to the resources. A re-connect is the only solution that will ensure sustainability in resource utilization as well as continued development among the community members. Previously, sectarian efforts were engaged in solving these problems. Different community groups and government institutions focused only on the specific areas of interest. Consequently, this has resulted in fragmented achievements that do not add up to whole.
To overcome these challenges, a concerted effort is proposed, that includes the political will to act, a sensitized and cooperative community, and a responsive county government. The current proposed project, therefore, intends to seize the opportunity created by the new constitution dispensation which allows for devolution of National resources management issues to County government, as well as the requirement of community participation in the decision making process in all levels of government.
Sauti Ya Wakwale 