Supporting the transformation of local food systems

Vipingo Ridge was founded on the idea of supporting the community, and adding value to our neighbours as the journey to create a unique development in Kilifi should also be an opportunity to lift others.

One way we support our local partners is to create space and environments to conduct their business, helping to facilitate important conversations and offer hospitality to their guests. We are also proud to engage sustainability and conservation stakeholders in the work at Vipingo Ridge to rewild the former sisal farm and the ongoing projects to do our part to protect our shared future.

We are proud to once again be working with the pioneering team at Oceans Alive Foundation, our long standing partner on their LIFT Network event.

LIFT Network Convening in Kenya

About the LIFT Network

The Local and Indigenous Food Systems Transformation (LIFT) Network, established in 2021, empowers local communities and preserves Indigenous food systems globally. Supported by The Rockefeller Foundation, LIFT has initiated impactful pilot projects in five founding member countries: Nigeria, Brazil, Kenya, Canada, and Fiji, demonstrating community-driven solutions to food system challenges.

The 1st Convening - Hosted by Oceans Alive Kenya

LIFT is excited to announce its first-ever in-person convening, hosted by Oceans Alive Kenya, a founding member of the LIFT Network. This landmark event aims to establish strategic direction, strengthen network bonds, and showcase sustainable solutions in action. Together with coastal communities, Oceans Alive shares sustainable solutions that improve livelihoods along the Kenyan coast. Their work focuses on:

• Safeguarding inshore coastal traditional marine fisheries ecosystems and their biodiversity

• Ensuring the sustainability of small-scale traditional fishing practices

• Improving the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities by elevating climate-resilient food production systems

• Protecting the rights of small-scale fishers

• Assisting State and County Fisheries in implementing a blend of traditional and modern law

• Building local capacity, educating youth, empowering confidence in traditional knowledge, and ensuring tenure security of marine resources are essential aspects of their work.

LIFT comes to Kuruwitu

Oceans Alive is based in Kuruwitu, along the stunning seascape of the Kenyan coast in Kilifi County. We are proud to house the Oceans Alive offices at the Vipingo Ridge Beach Club.

Kuruwitu is home to one of the longest-standing community-run traditional marine sanctuaries in the country and boasts golden sandy beaches, diverse marine life, a wildlife reserve and a vibrant community.

The main languages spoken in Kuruwitu are Kiswahili and Mijikenda. Many community members are also proficient in English. During engagements, Oceans Alive will provide a translator to facilitate interactions between convening participants and the local community.

Activities during the LIFT forum

Tour of Oceans Alive Solution Labs

Oceans Alive Solution Labs address food insecurity by fostering sustainable and regenerative practices in fishing and backyard agriculture. This approach aims to bolster income generation and enhance access to nutritious food in Kilifi County, which experiences high child malnutrition due to climate and limited agricultural land.

Solution Lab 1: Enhancing Fish Production through Traditional Fisheries Community Management Systems (Tengefu)

The Tengefu solution, a traditional fishery restoration technique, has shown a 400% increase in biomass over five years, making it a popular ecotourism venue.

Solution Lab 2: Enhancing Fish Production through Traditional Marine Community Conservation Systems

Oceans Alive supports fishing communities through coral fisheries restoration, such as coral gardening. This method, endorsed by global athletes, is being rolled out to other coastal communities in Kenya.

Solution Lab 3: Coastal Fishing Community Food Systems through Climate-Smart Kitchen Gardening

This modern adaptation of traditional farming empowers coastal fishing communities to produce indigenous vegetables, enhancing nutrition and food security. The LIFT project introduced six community projects and two schools, training over 100 women and 150 children.

Tour of Kuruwitu Marine Sanctuary

Kuruwitu Marine Sanctuary, established in 2005, is a community-led conservation project along the Kenyan coast near Watamu and Malindi. The sanctuary encompasses approximately 30 hectares of coral reef, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests, making it a vital habitat for marine species. Visitors can enjoy snorkelling, diving, and boat tours to explore the vibrant marine ecosystems. As partners Vipingo Ridge Ltd promotes these activities to its members and guests with the proceeds going to supporting the Oceans Alive Community programs.

Tour of Vipingo Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary, focused on native plant and tree species, restricts the growth of invasive, non- indigenous flora. In 2009, a tree nursery was established, collecting seeds from regional trees and planting around 35,000 seedlings, including iconic Baobabs. This program has transformed the landscape, reviving habitats for insects, birds, reptiles, and other species.

In 2020, a new program was launched to protect diverse species through a rescue and breeding program which successfully reintroduced larger herbivores, such as zebras, impalas, elands, oryxes, waterbucks, grant gazelles, wildebeests, hartebeests, lesser kudu, bushbuck and three rescued baby giraffes, to the walled 2500 acres. This program is proving very successful, enriching the area’s biodiversity as well as supporting the wider genetic diversity agenda from Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) and the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI).

Guests can enjoy a walk or drive through the diverse landscape of Vipingo Ridge, supported by the Wildlife researchers and Rangers who are an important part of the Vipingo Ridge team.

To learn more about the LIFT Network, follow the link: www.oceansalive.org/lift

Kuruwitu CNN Feature: Echoes of the Earth

One of the forum attendees, Ledama Masidza, has recently presented a new film with the CNN Academy highlighting the resilience of Kenyan communities - including those in our very own Kuruwitu.