By Caroline Katana
On the sunlit shores of Shimoni Kwale County, a group of determined locals is proving that cleaning up the beach is about much more than removing plastic bottles and discarded nets.
It is about protecting marine life, safeguarding public health, and creating opportunities for economic resilience in a region battling climate change and poverty.
At the forefront of this movement is Muunyi Museo – a community-based organization (CBO) whose name, “Kivuli Chema,” symbolizes a protective shade of hope.
The group has not only mobilized residents to clear waste along Shimoni beach and its surroundings but has also turned the exercise into a platform for reconnecting citizens with essential government services.
A Clean Environment, A Healthy People
Richard Mwololo, chairperson of Muunyi Museo CBO, explained that clean-ups are a preventive health measure.
“A healthy environment protects us from outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and malaria. Through Muunyi Museo, which unites 15 grassroots groups, we want the community to work together for development while preserving the very environment that sustains us,” he said.
When Clean-Ups Bring Services Closer
In a rare combination of environmental action and social service, the Shimoni clean-up was coupled with a government outreach program that brought services like ID , birth certificates, pensions, and health insurance registration, among other services, to the village level.
Ginorah Kinyasi, a Muunyi Museo member, said this innovative approach was necessary because many locals cannot afford the transport costs to Huduma Centres.
“Economic hardship makes it difficult for people to travel for services. By bringing government officers to the beach clean-up, we are saving families money and time while also building a cleaner, healthier community,” she explained.
Waste as Wealth
Kwale County officials urged the community to view waste not as a nuisance but as an opportunity.
“Waste can be a resource. Plastic bottles can be recycled into clothing, furniture, or even building posts,” said Neema Suya, chief officer of the Department of Environment, Natural Resources, and Urban Planning.
“If residents tap into recycling, they will earn income and protect marine breeding grounds critical to fisheries and tourism.
Overwhelming Demand for Services
The clean-up attracted thousands. Kwale Huduma Centre in charge, Caroline Kathure, reported that between 2,000 and 3,000 people registered for IDs, while more than 7,000 accessed different government services.
Yet, she noted that congestion and misinformation were major challenges.
“Many citizens are not aware of the services offered by different ministries, which leads to delays. Civic education is crucial. We also have hundreds of uncollected IDs and pending birth certificates because applicants cannot afford to travel back for collection. More frequent outreach programs would bridge this gap,” she said.
Bridging Distance and Poverty
Lunga lunga assistant County commissioner Gordon Papai praised the initiative, noting that residents of Wasini Island and other remote villages like Kidimu face unique challenges.
“The government has launched a vetting program to ensure ID and birth certificate services reach every ward. For low-income families, taking services closer to them is not just convenient—it is transformative,” he said.
Beyond Cleaning – Building Resilience
Environmental experts note that clean-ups are not cosmetic gestures. At beaches, waste threatens marine biodiversity, fisheries, and tourism, while in markets and villages, poor sanitation fuels disease outbreaks and erodes community dignity.
But initiatives like Munyii Museo’s also open the door to climate resilience and youth empowerment. With rising unemployment in coastal counties, waste recycling and environmental conservation could be transformed into green jobs for young people.
A Call to Action
The Shimoni initiative sends a powerful message: that community action, when paired with government support, can tackle multiple challenges at once — environmental degradation, public health risks, and lack of access to services.
Kwale’s coastline is one of Kenya’s greatest natural assets. Keeping it clean is not just about beauty; it is about protecting livelihoods, boosting tourism, and preparing communities for the realities of climate change.
The question now is whether more stakeholders — from county government and development partners to private investors — will step in to scale up such initiatives, turning every clean-up into an opportunity for health, dignity, and prosperity.
