Implementation Gaps in Kenya’s Ocean Conservation Governance, Policy and Finance

Coastal ecosystems support billions of people by providing essential services that sustain livelihoods, food security, and economic development. In Kenya, the Blue Economy agenda is guided by laws and policies aligned with global and regional frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and Western Indian Ocean (WIO) governance initiatives. Despite this progress, major implementation gaps continue to limit conservation outcomes and the achievement of sustainable ocean governance. This study uses a qualitative, desk-based approach to assess how policy, legal, and institutional frameworks in Kenya and selected WIO countries support sustainable ocean and coastal management. It also identifies key challenges and opportunities for improving implementation. The analysis focuses on three areas: evidence-based policymaking, transboundary governance, and blue finance. Findings show that increased investment in marine research and monitoring has not fully translated into evidence-based decision-making. Governance remains fragmented and is weakly informed by science, traditional ecological knowledge, and emerging technologies. Weak science–policy linkages, limited data sharing, and poor monitoring systems continue to constrain adaptive management. The study also finds that transboundary governance in the WIO region is constrained by differing institutional capacities, regulatory systems, and national priorities. These challenges limit coordinated action for managing shared marine ecosystems. Strengthening regional cooperation through harmonised policies, joint surveillance, and collaborative management is essential. In addition, limited financing and weak implementation capacity reduce the effectiveness of conservation efforts, despite growing interest in blue finance instruments. In conclusion, addressing Kenya’s ocean conservation implementation gap requires stronger institutional coordination, better integration of science into policy, enhanced regional cooperation, and scalable innovative financing to support a resilient and sustainable blue economy in the WIO.