By 2016, KCNRN focuses in increasing participation of Kwale County CSOs in Natural Resources governance, policy processes and implementation towards appreciation of their values both locally and internationally.
What specific objectives is the project intended to achieve
1. To build the capacity of the local community in understanding the rules, policies on natural resource management and their existing opportunities.
2. To Strengthen the capacity and functioning of the Kwale County Natural Resources Network
3. To create alternative Media engagement as a sources of publicity and innovatively developing a database for resources funding within the County.
For the year 2013/2014 KCNRN has made a significant improvement in terms of bringing CSOs in Kwale County to form a formidable platform that addresses issues of Natural Resources Management, Advocacy and Networking with other players.
The stated goals and objectives of Strengthening CSOs and Community Participation in Natural Resources Governance in Kwale County project relate to those in the EAWLS and ILEG plans.
During the period, the following three objectives were addressed;
1) By October 2014 the Capacity of the local community was built in understanding the rules, policies on natural resource management and their existing opportunities.
By October 2014 Strengthening the capacity and functioning of the Kwale County Natural Resources Network was implemented,
3) By October 2014 Collectively developed and Compiled a database for community based organization in Kwale County working to address Natural Resources.
Progress made so far
a. Capacity of the local community has been built in understanding the rules, policies on natural resource management and their existing opportunities:
The Kwale County Natural Resources Network (KCNRN) continued to influence NRM decisions and related issues in Kwale County, Coast region and nationally. Through recognition as voice representing NRM issues at the County as witnessed by the number of high level meeting they were invited to attend. These included consultation meetings with the County Governor, County Cabinet Secretary of Lands, Mining and Natural Resources, County Cabinet Secretary in Community Development, Sports and Children as a result the Governor and Cabinet Secretaries planned a support strategy to facilitate KCNRN to move around the County to continue creating advocacy to wider communities of Kwale, County Coordinator of National Drought Management Authority, County Coordinator of Kenya Agricultural Productivity Agribusiness Project. We had a constructive meeting with Private sector Base Titanium ltd and Lafarge Ecosystem where the Network made partnership and increased resource base and opportunities,
We had a meeting with Diani Chale Marine Park and BMU stakeholders and discussed ways to mitigate challenges, understanding policies of Marine park and opportunities existence in marine ecosystem where we involved Fisheries officer from Shimoni Station.
On proposed mining of Niobium and Rare Earth minerals in Kaya Mrima forest, NEMA declined to issue a mining license as most of the issues raised by the CSOs in Kwale had not been addressed. The KCNRN successfully brought together communities living adjacent to Shimba Hills ecosystem, ILEG, KFS and KWS to openly discuss issues of Human Wildlife Conflicts, Poaching and other illegal activities in Shimba Hills. As a result, the communities together with KFS and KWS develop actions point that both would adhere to ensure they work together. As a result of training on EIA process conducted to members of KCNRN, the network has established a technical team that will be reviewing and providing inputs on all EIA study reports for proposed development projects in environmentally sensitive areas to this we reviewed an ESIA report done by Cortec M ltd on the proposed processing plant and submitted our concerns to NEMA before the deadline o 10/7/2013 only to hear NEMA has issued a recommendation letter to Cortec Company allowing them to construct the processing plant.
Towards enhancing the capacity of KCNRN members to be able to effectively manage and report its activities and expenditures we had two trainings one on financial management skills, filling of returns and governance and another one on Training in reporting compliance to legal requirements and information management
b. To strengthening the capacity and functioning of the Kwale County Natural Resources Network is being implemented,
Increased community participation in Group Dynamics and Management, benefit negotiating skills which was aimed towards enhancing the capacity of KCNRN members to be able to effectively manage and report its activities and expenditures we had two trainings one on financial management skills, filling of returns and governance and another one on Training in reporting compliance to legal requirements and information management as a result of this there are proper documented reports, Minutes, surrender and data of members who register to the Network. Also the Network executive and Secretariat were empowered with management and financial reporting skills.
During the period, in popularizing the Network, we held Constituency level meetings in lunga lunga, Msambweni, Kinango and Matuga where we met Msambweni Beekeepers Association, members of SEGA Charcoal Producer Association and Local farmers. Also we had a meeting in Taru Kinango Sub County where we met with Nuru CBO a local community based organization which has 400 members and create d awareness and understanding KCNRN Objectives and status.
During this period, several meetings on Environment and Natural Resources Management were attended. The Network members attended a 5 days training on Environmental Impact Assessment understanding legal terms and processes organized by WWF. The Network Secretariat together with a member of the Network attended two weeks training on policy and advocacy analysis at MSTCDC in Arush on policy issues. These trainings are part of WWF agenda to develop capacity of partners on advocacy. Other meetings and training workshops attended that relate to County NRM Network agenda during the quarter included, East African Wildlife Society (EAWLS) lessons sharing and learning event in Nairobi where we shared our findings, progress and challenges and made contacts with other networks, attended Kenya Coast Forest Conservation Forum to validate their constitution and attend their Annual General Meeting held in Mombasa Reef hotel and participated in its Election of its officials.
We participated in a Governors Round Table meeting where we discussed proposals to be adopted by the County Government when developing its policies and regulations in the field of Natural resources.
As For membership drive, efforts were seen where we conducted an intensive outreach and managed to recruited 34 individual new members and one Kaya Lukunda Conservation Organization which has 18 members, Majimboni Environmental and Natural resources Organization which has 30 members, Nuru CBO which has 400 members, Mwakamba Development group which has 21 members and Base Titanium ltd which currently has 1500 workers joined the Network, raising the total membership to 1973.We all know that advocacy is numbers.
Presence of a natural resources platform in Kwale County has been welcomed by a wider section of Community, Private Sector and Government Agencies whom are now working together to compliment efforts that will add value to the livelihoods, Natural Resources and economic investment.
c. To create alternative Media engagement as a sources of publicity and innovatively developing a database for resources funding within the County.
This objective has not been implemented so far due to inadequate funding but for database we managed to compile and have the current groups operating in Kwale County in relation to Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation.
We also managed to consult An IT expert for the development of the Network WEB SITE in which is yet to be launched and you can link to http:www.kcnrn.org for more information.
Planned Activities:
1. Follow Up Activity for the Commitments made by Governor of Kwale during the Courtesy Visit where the following areas were discussed and they needed feedback
Establishment of information centers/ service centers (public access to information) – in which we has agreed this action needs the development of a Policy and actual service centers.
Kwale County Natural Resources Network to be involved in the Development Planning meetings both at Sub County and County level with reference to the office of the Governor therefore an action is to make a follow up visit and make further engagement.
As promised by the Governor they will explore available opportunities to facilitate operations of Network to carry out more advocacy on Natural Resources Management, Functions of County Government and increase public participation.
To inquire about the planned Mapping of Natural Resources in the County and possible forward our findings.
We did some Courtesy Introduction to County Executives and other offices; Namely
Done:
a) County Executive in charge of Land and Mining,
b) County Executive in charge of Youth & Women and County Development (MTP I & II),
c) Co-coordinator of National Drought Management Authority,
d) County Geologist,
e) County Service Unit of Kenya Agricultural Productivity Agribusiness,
f) KWS Senior Warden and Community Warden,
g) Private Sector;- Base Titanium ltd, and LAFARGE-Bamburi Cement ltd and
h) Ramisi Secondary
School (consumption of water
problem);
-where we are required to advise both the School Administration, County Education Officer, Water Coordinator, County Government, Students and their parents on water resource safety and purification.
i) Involvement of the Network in Integrated Strategic Planning –
As County Government are in their final preparation to come up with their Integrated Strategic Plan therefore as a Network we should make a bold move and inquire if at all it captured our submissions,
j) We held an Organizational Capacity Assessment that brought a lot of gaps and recommendations as a way forward to adopt.
k) We managed to develop a 5 year strategic plan and launched it at a functioned blessed by 4 Kwale County Executive Committee members.
l) We are also developing Network policies that will effectively govern our institution e.g. Election Policy, Monitoring and Evaluation Policy, Advocacy Strategy, Human Resources Policy, Communication Strategy and Financial Policy
m) We have managed to forward our comments on Natural Resources Benefit sharing bill 2014, Water Bill, Climate Change Bill and Policy and now we are spear heading the development of County Forest Bill.
n) We managed to conduct various survey on biological issues please find the reports attached.
Sauti Ya Wakwale 