Rehabilitation of Robinson Island by the local community
The Robinson (Kinyaole) Island Giriama community today faces poverty due to the lack of income and employment opportunities as well as education. There are no primary and secondary schools on the island or in the immediate surrounding (the nearest primary school being 5 km away). Moreover, Robinson Island has no health facilities, nor does it have access to piped water and electricity. A telephone land-line connection is missing and mobile network coverage is rather weak.
Despite harbouring a wealth of natural resources (marine, estuary, mangrove, and sand dune habitats with a diversity of marine life and many bird species), very low income is generated through present livelihoods. Due to the activities of adjoining salt companies which create occasional employment opportunities, natural resources have deteriorated over the years through the salination of farmed land, creeks and fresh water sources, a decline in food productivity being the result.
This project will involve the local island community in rehabilitating mangroves and other income generating activities such as crab farming. Mangrove rehabilitation: Fridays Arm established a mangrove tree nursery and a nurserie with indigenous hardwood species to facilitate the rehabilitation exercise on the island and the shore line. Up to date the community has (re)planted more than 150,000 mangroves around the island. The planting is still on going the set target is one million.
Turtle protection: The island is one of the 22 turtle breeding sites on the Kenyan coast. Hence the protection of sea turtles along the beaches is also part of the project as well as the installement of tree nurseries with 7000 seedlings for reaforrestation purposes.
Part of the project is the installement of an eco-tourism venture to generate income for community members. International and local tourists reach the island by two boats funded by UNDP GEF SGP. The boats are also used to cross children to school, for members of the society and for seed collection.Two visitors banda provide accomodation solar panels provide clean power while an exclusive restaurant
Despite harbouring a wealth of natural resources (marine, estuary, mangrove, and sand dune habitats with a diversity of marine life and many bird species), very low income is generated through present livelihoods. Due to the activities of adjoining salt companies which create occasional employment opportunities, natural resources have deteriorated over the years through the salination of farmed land, creeks and fresh water sources, a decline in food productivity being the result.
This project will involve the local island community in rehabilitating mangroves and other income generating activities such as crab farming. Mangrove rehabilitation: Fridays Arm established a mangrove tree nursery and a nurserie with indigenous hardwood species to facilitate the rehabilitation exercise on the island and the shore line. Up to date the community has (re)planted more than 150,000 mangroves around the island. The planting is still on going the set target is one million.
Turtle protection: The island is one of the 22 turtle breeding sites on the Kenyan coast. Hence the protection of sea turtles along the beaches is also part of the project as well as the installement of tree nurseries with 7000 seedlings for reaforrestation purposes.
Part of the project is the installement of an eco-tourism venture to generate income for community members. International and local tourists reach the island by two boats funded by UNDP GEF SGP. The boats are also used to cross children to school, for members of the society and for seed collection.Two visitors banda provide accomodation solar panels provide clean power while an exclusive restaurant
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Project Snapshot
Grantee:
Fridays Arm (Robinson Island)
Country:
Kenya
Area Of Work:
Biodiversity
Grant Amount:
US$ 39,507.21
Co-Financing Cash:
Co-Financing in-Kind:
US$ 10,000.00
Project Number:
KEN-GEF-02-010
Status:
Satisfactorily Completed
Project Characteristics and Results
Gender Focus
Both men and women are involved. Women are benefitting from the income generating activities as well as from clean water and electricity.
Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
Income generating activities e.g. revenues from the cottages will flow into a community fund and will be saved for the construction of a next set of cottages in the neighbouring village,and so on..
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SGP Country office contact
Ms. Nancy Chege
Phone:
(254-20) 7624473
Fax:
(254-20) 621076
Email:
Ms. Eunice Mwaura
Email:
Address
UNDP, P.O. Box 30218
Nairobi, 00100
Nairobi, 00100
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