Advances made in preparations for the National Marine Spatial Plan for Kenya Preparations for the development of a National Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) for Kenya are progressing in earnest after the Cabinet approved the strategic initiative in March, 2024.
The MSP initiative is coordinated by Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs working in cooperation with other line ministries, government departments and agencies. The State Department for the Blue Economy and Fisheries is charged with overseeing the process.
Early consultations have started to inform the strategic environmental and social assessment (SESA), which is a critical stage in the pre-planning process.
MSP is aligned to the Planning Process as defined by the Physical and Land Use Planning Act:Pre-planning: Development of a concept note/delineation of the planning boundary (planning area) area, visioning process, development of MSP goals, setting objectives, and principlesPlan development: Notification to the public of intention to plan, data collection and analysis, development of the base map, stakeholder engagement (minimum 3 engagements: visioning and goal affirming process, presentation of the draft plan and plan validation). Plan approval: Notice of completion of the draft plan, circulation of the draft plan for comments, notice of incorporation of comments, notice of approval of the plan, communication of the to the public.
MSP is aligned to the Planning Process as defined by the Physical and Land Use Planning Act:
- Pre-planning: Development of a concept note/delineation of the planning boundary (planning area) area, visioning process, development of MSP goals, setting objectives, and principles
- Plan development: Notification to the public of intention to plan, data collection and analysis, development of the base map, stakeholder engagement (minimum 3 engagements: visioning and goal affirming process, presentation of the draft plan and plan validation).
- Plan approval: Notice of completion of the draft plan, circulation of the draft plan for comments, notice of incorporation of comments, notice of approval of the plan, communication of the to the public.
SESA is a requirement under the National Environment Authority (NEMA) legal framework for large scale programmes, policies, and plans such as MSP. SESA comprises a range of analytical and participatory approaches used to evaluate economic and social aspects and for the integration of environmental considerations into the MSP process.
The strategic assessment focuses on gathering information and analysis to inform the environmental and social safeguards of the MSP. The actual planning process will start when the government publishes the intent to plan as per the law.
The notice will signal approval by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Land Use for development of the plan as required by law. It will provide details of the planning area and invite the public to make their submissions on the process.
In preparation for the SESA, consultative meetings with representatives of key sectors have started. In April 2024, these sector dialogues meetings were held with civil society, academia as well as government agencies from across the various sectors relevant to the MSP development. Similar engagements are scheduled with the private sector and county leaders.
The sector dialogues will be followed by a field exercise to collect data on the plans by various sectors and to hold consultations with stakeholders.
The SESA will also incorporate inputs from a series of technical studies based on data and information from the different sectors. Incorporation of the data in SESA will ensure the interests of different sectors are adequately considered in the planning process.
During the process, experts and diverse stakeholders will be intensively engaged to discuss different scenarios and options for optimum use of the ocean space. The resulting plan will be subjected to public participation. The final plan will be adopted after a final round of public participation.
The MSP is expected to guide future uses of the ocean space to ensure sustainable harnessing of the marine resources for Kenya’s social and economic development.
Other accomplishments so far include setting up of the governance structures and the institutional framework have been established to manage the process.
The State Department for the Blue Economy and Fisheries has established an MSP Secretariat that is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the planning process. The Secretariat if supported by various technical working groups.
Also set up is the Multi-Agency Steering Committee to advise the Secretariat and the National Executive Committee comprising Principal Secretaries from key ministries that will provide high-level oversight for the process.
For more information contact visit the MSP website www.marinespatialplan.go.ke or contact the MSP Coordinator at info@msp.go.ke.