The Coast secretariat participated in the above event held at Mombasa Beach Hotel, members were informed that that NEMA had gotten support from KCDP (Kenya Coastal Development Project) to hold a meeting of experts drawn from various sectoral institutions with mandate on implementation of sectoral laws to review and provide inputs on the EMCA.  However the review process was not limited to sectoral institutions but sought to involve all the relevant stakeholders in the government, NGO and private sector. On this basis the NEMA urged the committee members to review and provide their comments specifically on section 42 and 55 which deal with wetlands and coastal zone management respectively. Members were requested to forward them to NEMA for onward submission to the task force spearheading review of EMCA 1999.

In respect to the ongoing implementation of the ICZM (Integrated Coastal Zonal Management) Action plan, members were reminded that all stakeholders have a key responsibility in managing coastal resources. Regarding the draft ICZM Policy, further informed the meeting that the National Environment Council (NEC) had discussed and raised issues on the draft policy. The issues raised by NEC include updating it to address emerging issues; clarifying the role of county governments in policy implementation and aligning it with the new constitution. He said revising the draft policy to address these issues will be a key agenda item for the meeting planned to review and provide inputs on EMCA 1999.

It was  reported that revision of the ICZM Policy had been completed owing the experts inputs through a meeting held in Malindi late last year. The policy was then submitted to NEC for review and subsequent approval.  The Policy is a stronger agenda item for the Council though there have been delays to meet due to the recent developments in the politics which has made it difficult to avail the Minister  to Chair the meeting as required.