Photo: Otis 254 / Wikimedia Commons , CC BY-SA 4.0. Malindi Beach, shown for illustration.
In Malindi, on Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast, Nuru Mohammed was preparing for a different kind of working day.
A July 2026 report found the fisherwoman helping to prepare a beachside restaurant. Women hung fishing nets as decoration while her daughter cleared away sand. For families facing declining catches, the venture offered hope of another source of income and a more secure future.
Creating opportunities together
Across Kenya’s coast, women are exploring new ways to support their families.
Tourism, mangrove restoration and beekeeping are among the activities being developed. These efforts aim to generate income while caring for the environment that supports coastal life.
Healthy coastal ecosystems matter to the whole community. Protecting habitats and developing sustainable businesses can help residents preserve both their surroundings and their livelihoods.
Building a shared future
Through the ReSea programme, organisations including GROOTS Kenya and the International Union for Conservation of Nature are supporting coastal communities, with particular attention to women and young people.
Their work brings together ecosystem restoration, practical skills and opportunities to develop local businesses. It connects environmental protection with the everyday needs of people who depend on the coast.
Community strength in action
These initiatives are still developing. New businesses need customers, and restoring coastal habitats requires continuing care.
But the women involved are taking practical steps towards new opportunities, drawing on their knowledge of the places they call home.
For MyHappyAfrica, this is a story of community determination: people working together, adapting to change and helping shape a more secure future.
Sources: Associated Press, 6 July 2026; IUCN; GROOTS Kenya.
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