Community Unites for Successful Beach Clean-Up
Gathering for Good
In a bid to preserve the pristine beauty of our coastal environment, Kuruwitu Conservancy and Welfare CBO, with the support of Vipingo Ridge, orchestrated a comprehensive beach clean-up initiative last weekend. This united effort brought together diverse stakeholders, including community members, organisation supporters, County Government representatives, and 200 enthusiastic students from four local schools.
The Clean-Up Goals
The primary goal of the clean-up was to actively involve community members in removing trash and debris from beaches and waterways. Additionally, it aimed to inspire behavioural change and foster positive attitudes to reduce littering. By educating the community about the harmful impacts of litter on the environment, the initiative aimed to encourage responsible waste management practices among people of all ages.
Tackling Trouble Beach Areas
The clean-up targeted six landing sites along the Kuruwitu shoreline, including Mwanamia, Kijangwani, Kuruwitu, Kinuni, Vipingo, and Bureni. These areas, popular with residents and beachgoers, have seen a concerning increase in litter volumes. Through the dedicated efforts of volunteers from various organisations, including the Kuruwitu Conservation and Welfare CBO, the Kuruwitu Beach Management Unit, Oceans Alive, and governmental bodies such as the Kilifi County Government, significant progress has been made in restoring the cleanliness of these coastal areas.
About Kuruwitu Conservation and Welfare CBO
Established in 2003 by community members, Kuruwitu Conservation and Welfare CBO is dedicated to conserving marine ecosystems and species. Notable achievements include hosting over 1,000 visitors worldwide, training 100 community members, achieving a 400% increase in fish biomass, and protecting over 180 turtle nests in 2016. The organisation also spearheads projects such as the Kuruwitu 'Turtles Alive' project as seen below and Marine Research initiatives.
Engaging Schools
The participation of over 200 students from local primary and secondary schools injected a dynamic spirit into this month’s clean-up initiative. By actively contributing to marine litter removal, these students not only supported environmental conservation efforts but also gained valuable insights into the importance of preserving our natural resources.
The Clean-Up Results
The beach clean-up efforts last weekend collected plastics, rubber, and glass bottles, posing a threat to sea life if ingested. This pollution also indirectly endangers human health, potentially leading to serious illnesses. Total volumes collected and disposed of were as follows:
Plastics = 100KG
Rubber = 40KG
Glass = 17.4KG
To finalise the clean-up, dried seaweed was buried in the sand, women from Kuruwitu women picked up waste bottles for recycling and the remaining waste was transported to Bahari Hai for disposal by the County Government, aligning with the clean-up policy to keep oceans free of harmful debris.
Continued Commitment
The success of the beach clean-up underscores the effectiveness of collective action and community involvement in addressing environmental challenges. As we celebrate the accomplishments of this first initiative in 2024, we are committed to further collaborative efforts to ensure a cleaner, healthier coastline for all.
Looking ahead, the Kuruwitu Conservation and Welfare CBO has outlined plans for three further clean-ups in 2024, with this event marking the first of the year. Each clean-up is estimated to cost approximately Kes 50,000, totalling Kes 200,000 annually. These ongoing initiatives are great steps towards the protection of our coastal ecosystems.
Kuruwitu Conservation and Welfare CBO wish to thank all who took part in making this day possible. Visit their website to learn more about their work and how you could be a part of the next Beach Clean-Up.
