GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 12859

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by section 44 (3) of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife publishes the Plan set out in the Schedule hereto— SCHEDULE The Kiunga Marine National Reserve Management Plan, 2025- 2035 (hereinafter referred to as “the Plan”) defines the guiding principles, management objectives and actions that the Kiunga Marine National Reserve (KMNR) stakeholders have designed to address conservation, marine fisheries resource, tourism, community, security and operational issues in the Kiunga Marine National Reserve and its adjacent areas. The Plan addresses the problems and opportunities in the Kiunga Marine National Reserve through the following management intervention measures: (a) Implementing the zoning scheme outlined in the Plan; and (b) Implementing management actions described under the Plan’s five management programmes. The zoning scheme and management programmes are summarised in the following section: 1. ZONING SCHEME Kiunga Marine National Reserve comprises four zones: High-use Zone, Low-use Zone, Restricted Zone and Influence zone. The High- use Zone supports the development of local community livelihoods. The Low-use Zone is designated to conserve marine resources while allowing low-impact tourism and low-impact fishing. The purpose of the Restricted Zone is to conserve and replenish fish stocks while the Influence Zone acts as a buffer to the Reserve. 2. MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES The Plan comprises five management programmes: Conservation Management Programme, Marine Fisheries Resource Management Programme, Tourism Development and Management Programme, Community Partnerships and Outreach Programme, and Protected Area Operations and Security Management Programme. These programmes are summarised in the following sections. 2.1 Conservation Management Programme The purpose of the Conservation Management Programme is to ensure that the ecological structure and function of KMNR are understood, conserved, and restored to support viable species populations and key habitats that, enhance resilient socio- ecological systems. The programme seeks to ensure that; key habitats within KMNR are conserved and protected for sustained ecosystem linkages and climate resilience; species of conservation concern are conserved, ensuring viable populations of these species are maintained and marine biodiversity enhanced; and 12th September, 2025 THE KENYA GAZETTE research for understanding the ecological components and dynamics of KMNR for effective management enhanced. 2.2 Marine Fisheries Resource Management Programme The overall goal of the Marine Fisheries Resource Management Programme is to ensure that the marine fisheries resources of KMNR are sustainably managed to generate ecological and equitable socio-economic benefits. The programme aims to achieve this purpose through implementation of a set of objectives that focus on: enhancing fisheries monitoring, enforcement, and surveillance capacity within KMNR; generating and disseminating new knowledge on the status of fish stocks and impacts of fishing within KMNR; enhancing socio-economic benefits from sustainable fishing practices; and strengthening fisheries co- management within KMNR. 2.3 Tourism Development and Management Programme The Tourism Development and Management Programme aims to sustainably develop and promote KMNR as a high-end destination with signature experiences that capitalizes on its Exceptional Resource Values through investments for economic growth and for the benefit of people and nature. To achieve this purpose four management objectives have been designed focusing on: developing and maintaining tourism support infrastructure; enhancing tourism administration and management; diversifying tourism products and experiences; and marketing and promoting KMNR. 2.4 Community Partnerships and Outreach Programme The purpose of the Community Partnerships and Outreach Programme is to enhance participation of adjacent communities and stakeholders in sustainable conservation and management of natural resources and support livelihood improvement enterprises/initiatives. This will be achieved through implementation of management objectives that focus on: strengthening public participation and inclusivity; strengthening conservation education and awareness programmes; promoting conservation-compatible land use practices; minimizing resource use conflicts within KMNR and adjacent areas; strengthening partnerships and collaboration in conservation and management programmes; and improving opportunities for communities to benefit from KMNR. 2.5 Protected Area Operations and Security Management Programme The main aim of the Protected Area Operations and Security Management Programme is to ensure that KMNR’s operations and security functions effectively support the sustainable conservation of its natural resources, while safeguarding visitors, staff and assets. The management objectives under this programme focus on: improving KMNR’s management infrastructure, strengthening security operations, improving staff motivation and welfare, and strengthening management effectiveness. 3. PLAN IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND EVALUATION Kenya Wildlife Service, with support from stakeholders, will oversee the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Plan. A three-year implementation plan has been developed to guide the execution of the Plan, detailing management actions and activities under each of the five management programmes. Additionally, the Plan provides a monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the potential impacts of implementing each management programme. The Plan is deposited at the offices of the Director General, Kenya Wildlife Service along Langata Road, whose address is provided below: The Director-General, Kenya Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 40241–00100, Nairobi Tel: (254) 020 6000800/6002345 E-mail: kws@kws.go.ke Dated the 8th August, 2025. REBECCA MIANO, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife.