Environment & Natural Resources
Saumu Beja
C.EC.M - Lands, Environment, & Natural Resource
Saumu Beja Mahaja is a seasoned sustainable development expert with over 10 years of experience in the natural resources and environment sphere. She holds a master’s degree in environmental studies, and community development and a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Kenyatta University. Currently serving as a policy director responsible for overseeing and coordinating all matters of Environmental, Natural resources, and urban planning, in the Kwale County government under the leadership of H.E Fatuma Achani, having served in the position for six years now where she has spearheaded policy efforts in
urban planning delivering the first Kwale County spatial and overseeing the ascending four towns to municipal status. Being the C.E.C.M in charge of climate change she developed and executed the legislative strategy and the creation of the first Kwale County Climate change fund ensuring adaptive and mitigating measures are undertaken by both government and communities contributing to environmental sustainability.
She also served in both KWS and KMFRI whose role focused on sustainable development and ecosystem research in both marine and land ecosystems.
Neema Suya
Chief Officer - Environment, Natural Resources & urban Planning
Neema Suya is a highly skilled environmental scientist with over 10 years of experience in conservation work. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science with a comprehensive understanding of environmental systems and policies. She is also a conservation coach in training and currently pursuing a Master of Arts Degree in Governance and Leadership. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to preserving and protecting natural resources. She has worked on numerous conservation projects with non-profit organizations. Her expertise in Policy advocacy analysis, environmental governance, conservation coaching, environmental assessment, environmental social safeguards, monitoring, and mitigation has been invaluable in ensuring that these projects are carried out in an environmentally responsible manner.
Neema has worked on projects ranging from habitat restoration, integrated water resources management, climate change adaptation, renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, intergenerational knowledge
transfer, wildlife conservation, Nature Based Solutions to sustainable development, and waste management.
Her ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including community members, government officials, private sector, religious leaders, and Community-Based Organizations, has helped her to achieve measurable successes in her conservation efforts.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Neema is passionate about educating and mentoring others on the importance of environmental conservation. She has given presentations on various environmental topics and has mentored numerous students and young professionals interested in pursuing careers in environmental conservation. Overall, Neema’s extensive experience, combined with her passion for environmental conservation, makes her a valuable asset to any organization committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Our Vision
To be enablers of economically vibrant societies, functioning ecosystems and sustainable development
Our Mission
To promote socio-economic transition through sustainable development
Our Mandate
Sub-sectors & Their Mandates
Land administration & Management
The sub-sector is mandated to provide policy direction on matters related to land notably: land transaction; survey and mapping; land adjudication; settlement matters; land registration; land and property valuation services, administration and land information systems. The sub-sector’s socio-economic contribution includes facilitating security of land tenure for Kwale County residents. The County Government through this sub-sector intends to increase the percentage of land registered in the County to increase tenure security which will have a direct impact on the social economic status of the people of Kwale.
Urban & Rural (Physical Planning)
The sub-sector is mandated to provide policy direction on issues of rural and urban development notably; National Land Use Policies; County Lands Policy Development, County spatial infrastructure (County Spatial Plan), Physical planning, spatial planning, appropriate land use planning and Rural Settlement planning; development control; resource mapping and establishment of a GIS based Integrated Land Information System (LIS). The sub-sector’s socio-economic contribution includes provision of planned growth and development of urban and rural areas and supporting public investment in infrastructure and services.
Environment, Natural Resources & Climate Change
The sub-sector’s mandate is Environmental and Natural Resources Policy Development; coordination of environmental and social safeguards in all county projects and controlling of air pollution, noise pollution and other public nuisances; Conservation and Protection of County’s Wildlife; Development of Forests, Re-afforestation and Agro-forestry; Provision of consents for licensing operations and surface rights; Promotion of Artisanal mining; County Energy Planning, County Energy Regulation and County Energy Operations and Development; Integrating and mainstreaming Climate Change actions and Environment and Social Safeguards Management across all County sectors. The sub-sector’s socio-economic contribution includes enhancing sustainable management of natural resources and building resilience against climate change.
Municipalities
The Municipalities are mandated to perform the following functions —; Promotion, regulation and provision of refuse collection and solid waste management services; Promotion and provision of water and sanitation services and infrastructure (in areas within the Municipality not served by the Water and Sanitation Provider); Construction and maintenance of urban roads and associated infrastructure; Construction and maintenance of storm drainage and flood controls; Construction and maintenance of walkways and other non-motorized transport infrastructure; Construction and maintenance of recreational parks and green spaces; Construction and maintenance of street lighting; Construction, maintenance and regulation of traffic controls and parking facilities; Construction and maintenance of bus stations and taxi stands; Promotion, regulation and provision of animal control and welfare; Municipal administration services (including construction and maintenance of administrative offices); Promoting and undertaking infrastructural development and services within municipality