Journalists Trained to Improve Reporting on Mangrove Restoration



Journalists from the coastal counties of Mombasa, Kwale, and Lamu have undergone training on how to report more effectively on environmental issues, with a special focus on mangrove ecosystem.

The initiative aims to improve the quality and accuracy of reporting on mangrove restoration efforts while helping to address misconceptions and misinformation circulating within communities.


According to researcher and Director General of the National Mangrove Restoration Committee, Dr. Judith Okello, the growing trend of planting mangroves without following proper ecological guidelines could end up harming the ecosystem. 

She noted that mangrove restoration requires careful planning, including identifying suitable areas and understanding the ecological balance of coastal environments.


“We should ask ourselves, how did our forefathers harvest mangroves without planting them? So we must seek ways to replenish our forests through restoration and planting being the last resort”, she said.


Researcher at the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) Henry Komu, said their approach focuses on involving local communities in restoration efforts known as Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR) which has witnessed positive results.



Komu said that the community-based approach helps residents understand the causes behind mangrove loss in specific areas before undertaking restoration activities.
Although mangrove planting restoration efforts have expanded across the coastal areas, many have not achieved the intended ecological outcomes. A key challenge is the widespread misconception that mangrove restoration simply involves planting trees. Research shows that up to 80 percent of mangrove planting initiatives fail when ecological conditions such as tidal flow, soil characteristics, and site suitability are not properly assessed.

“ We are using the community based ecological mangrove restoration because it has proven effective and successful compared to how things were a while back”, said Komu.


Mangroves play a critical role in protecting shorelines from erosion, supporting marine biodiversity, and sustaining livelihoods for coastal communities.

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