National Report: Marine biodiversity in Kenya – the known and the unknown

The Kenyan coastline is about 600 km in length and forms part of the western border of the Indian Ocean. It has an almost continuous fringing coral reef usually running parallel to the coast. Kenya’s territorial sea and Exclusive Economic Zone extend 12 nm and 200 nm respectively, with the total area of EEZ being 118 km2. The Kenyan coast runs in a southwesterly direction from the Somalian border in the north 1o41’S to 4o40’S at the border with Tanzania. Climate and weather systems on the Kenyan coast are dominated by the two distinct monsoon periods. From November to March, the north-east monsoon dominates and is comparatively dry. End of March to September the south-east monsoon dominates bringing heavy rains. Mean annual total rainfall ranges from 508 mm to1016 mm. Relative humidity is comparatively high all year round reaching its peak during the wet months of April and July.