By Caroline Katana
At the edge of the Indian Ocean, where tangled mangrove roots rise from shallow waters and the air carries a mix of salt and earth, the quiet village of Chale is beginning to reimagine its future.
What was once an underutilized stretch of fragile coastal ecosystem is now the foundation of a bold community vision, one that blends conservation, culture, and commerce.
The launch of the Chale Community Boardwalk and Mangrove Planting Campaign on April 21, 2026, marked more than the unveiling of a tourism project.Â
It signaled the start of a grassroots transformation driven by the community itself, with support from conservation partners and government.
For Rehema Suleiman, a resident of Makongeni and treasurer of the Chale Muungano group, the moment carried the weight of long-held aspirations.
“We are grateful for this project implemented by WRTI with support from UNEP. It will become a tourist attraction and help us uplift our livelihoods and meet our family needs,” she said, her voice reflecting cautious optimism.
Like many women in Chale, Suleiman has spent years navigating economic uncertainty.
Opportunities are scarce, and the burden of providing for families often falls heavily on their shoulders. But the boardwalk, she says, could begin to shift that reality.
“As women, we have not had enough means to fully support our children. But now, through selling baskets, traditional clothing, and other handmade products to visitors, we believe we can earn an income and improve our lives,” she added.
The boardwalk itself begins modestly, a 100-metre raised wooden pathway cutting through dense mangrove forest. Yet it represents only the first phase of a much larger plan.Â
An additional 800 metres is expected to complete the full stretch, eventually opening up deeper sections of the ecosystem to controlled, sustainable tourism.
To an outsider, it may appear as just a walkway. But to the community, it is a bridge linking conservation to survival.
Project Manager Suleiman Ronga Dzilala describes it as a carefully designed balance between people and nature.
“We are working with community groups including Beach Management Units, Kaya forest conservation groups, and local residents. We are also making sure no one is left behind especially persons living with disabilities and the Makonde community,” he said.
For Dzilala, the boardwalk is not just about attracting tourists, it is about redefining how the community relates to its environment.
“This project gives us hope. It will help generate income while encouraging us to protect our marine resources, our Kaya forests, and the mangroves that sustain life along this coast,” he explained.
Mangroves, often overlooked, are among the most valuable ecosystems in the world.
They act as natural barriers against coastal erosion, breeding grounds for fish, and powerful carbon sinks in the fight against climate change. In Chale, they are now also becoming a classroom.
“We want our children to learn from this,” Dzilala said. “We are here today, but tomorrow we may not be. Conservation must continue through them.”he said
Beyond its ecological significance, the project is designed to unlock economic potential.
Plans for Phase II include expanding the boardwalk by 800 meters and developing complementary facilities such as a restaurant, accommodation bandas, and social spaces, critical elements for a thriving ecotourism destination.
But progress, stakeholders admit, will depend on sustained investment and collaboration.
Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani sees the project as part of a broader shift toward the blue economy, a sector increasingly central to Kenya’s development agenda.
“This project has many components, and as a county government, we are ready to work with partners to complete what remains whether it is infrastructure, electricity, or tourism facilities,” she said.
At the national level, Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano framed the initiative as a model for the future.
“This is what sustainable development looks like where communities, government, and partners come together to protect ecosystems while creating economic opportunities,” she said.
She noted that the boardwalk will reduce human pressure on mangroves by offering controlled access, while opening new income streams through guided tours, aquaculture, and artisanal trade.
The mangrove planting campaign launched alongside the boardwalk further strengthens this vision.
More than 10,000 seedlings are expected to be planted part of Kenya’s ambitious 15 Billion Tree Growing Programme.
For Ole Vestergaard, Programme Management Officer in the Marine and Freshwater Branch, Ecosystems Division at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the significance of the project goes beyond Chale.
“This is a very important initiative for the community and for blue economy development. The mangroves here and in nearby Gazi are unique and provide opportunities for tourism, fisheries, and livelihoods,” he said.
He pointed to the economic logic behind conservation often underestimated but increasingly undeniable.
“If you invest one million in natural habitats, you can generate up to five million in returns. That is the opportunity communities need to see because it is exactly what attracts visitors,” he noted.
Indeed, just a few kilometers away in Gazi Bay, similar conservation efforts have evolved into globally recognized blue carbon projects—demonstrating that protecting nature can also generate income. Back in Chale, that possibility is beginning to take root.
WRTI Board Chair Dr David Nkedianye described the boardwalk as a “defining moment,” not just for its physical presence but for what it represents.
“It is a pathway to economic empowerment, environmental protection, and community resilience,” he said.
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