By Caroline Katana
The turquoise waters and powder-white sands of Diani Beach have long made it one of Kenya’s most treasured tourist destinations.
But beneath its postcard-perfect beauty lies an environmental challenge that continues to threaten marine life, local livelihoods, and the future of the coastal ecosystem.
That challenge took center stage during the third Diani Beach Zero Plastic Festival, where scientists, environmental advocates, government officials, private companies, students and more than 3,000 volunteers united in a call to end plastic pollution before it overwhelms the ocean that sustains them.
Held alongside World Oceans Day celebrations, the festival highlighted both the growing threat posed by plastic waste and the encouraging progress being made through community-led conservation efforts.
Participants sort and weigh assorted waste at Kongo Beach in Diani, Kwale County
Organizers reported a steady decline in the volume of plastic collected during annual clean-up exercises, a sign that awareness campaigns and environmental education are beginning to change public behavior along Kenya’s coast.
Speaking during the event Health Environment Research Institute –Kenya (HERI-Kenya) executive director Juma Nasoro, warned that plastic pollution remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges facing coastal communities.
“Plastic pollution is increasing every day. Research shows that if we do not take action, there could eventually be more plastic in the ocean than fish,” he said.
Nasoro explained that plastic waste can remain in marine ecosystems for more than 500 years before breaking down into microplastics that are often mistaken for food by fish and other marine organisms.
“When fish consume plastic particles, the effects extend beyond marine life and eventually affect human health through the food chain,” he said.
He noted that plastic pollution also poses a direct threat to Diani’s tourism industry, which relies heavily on clean beaches and healthy marine ecosystems.
To address waste management challenges, Heri Kenya has introduced Black Soldier Fly farming as an innovative solution for processing organic waste.
According to Nasoro, Diani generates more than 10 tonnes of waste daily, nearly 70 percent of which is organic.
“The larvae convert organic waste into protein-rich animal feed and organic fertilizer, creating environmental and economic benefits for communities,” he said.
Health Environment Research Institute –Kenya (HERI-Kenya) executive director Juma Nasoro
Nasoro added that Heri Kenya’s participation in World Oceans Day activities seeks to ensure that scientific research and policy discussions are translated into practical grassroots action capable of driving real change within communities.
For organizers, the festival is more than a clean-up exercise; it is a movement aimed at transforming attitudes toward environmental conservation.
Samba Sports Youth Trust executive director Mohamed Ali Machausa, said protecting the ocean requires collective responsibility and sustained community engagement.
“Our oceans cover most of the Earth’s surface and are vital to life. We all have a responsibility to protect them,” he said.
Machausa identified plastic pollution as one of the greatest environmental threats facing marine ecosystems, citing statistics showing that approximately 85 percent of marine litter consists of plastic waste.
“If we fail to act, projections indicate that by 2060 there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean,” he warned.
Despite the alarming projections, Machausa highlighted encouraging signs that environmental awareness campaigns are making a difference.
During the inaugural festival in 2024, organizers collected approximately seven tonnes of waste with 2,100 participants.
In 2025, the number of participants increased to 3,000, but the waste collected dropped to about 4.5 tonnes.
This year, despite attracting more than 3,000 participants, only three tonnes of plastic waste were collected.
“The reduction in waste collected shows that awareness efforts are bearing fruit. More people are becoming conscious of how they dispose of waste and the importance of protecting the environment,” he said.
Samba Sports Youth Trust executive director Mohamed Ali Machausa
Senior Scientist at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) Dr. Eric Okuku described oceans as essential to environmental sustainability, economic development and human survival.
“Oceans regulate climate, protect our coastlines, provide food and support livelihoods for millions of people,” he said.
However, he warned that marine ecosystems are increasingly threatened by what scientists refer to as the “three planetary crises” biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution.
“Plastic pollution is the most visible form of pollution affecting our oceans today,” he said.
According to KMFRI research, approximately 37,000 tonnes of plastic enter marine environments annually.
Studies conducted along Kenya’s coastline have found as many as five pieces of plastic waste per square metre on some beaches.
Dr. Okuku noted that Kenya has already developed strategic action plans targeting both land-based and sea-based sources of plastic pollution.
“Science alone cannot solve this challenge. We need partnerships with communities, schools, government agencies and the private sector,” he said.
He emphasized that the most effective solution is preventing plastic waste from reaching the ocean in the first place.
“Once plastic enters the ocean, removing it becomes extremely difficult and expensive. The best approach is to stop it at the source,” he added.
Dr. Okuku further underscored the importance of environmental education among children, saying young people can become powerful ambassadors for sustainable waste management practices.
Senior Scientist at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) Dr. Eric Okuku
The importance of collaboration was also highlighted by Michael Timona, Partnership Lead at Samba Sports Youth Trust, who described the festival as a successful example of public-private partnership.
“No single organization can address plastic pollution alone. It takes collaboration between government, communities, development partners and private companies to create meaningful impact,” he said.
Timona revealed that organizers plan to expand their network of partners by 2027 to strengthen conservation efforts and broaden community participation in environmental initiatives.
A director from the Diani Municipal Board incharge of Infrastructure and Urban Planning Jeremah Muchiri commended residents and stakeholders for participating in a three -day World Environment Day programme that included beach clean-ups and tree planting activities.
Muchiri acknowledged previous challenges related to waste collection due to a shortage of garbage trucks but said the county government has since expanded its fleet and plans to procure additional vehicles in the upcoming budget cycle.
He also addressed concerns regarding waste management at the Mwabungo dumpsite, explaining that poor road conditions during rainy seasons have made it difficult for trucks to access the facility.
“To solve this challenge, plans are underway to improve access roads to the dumpsite and ensure waste is transported more efficiently,” he said.
Muchiri emphasized that environmental education remains one of the most sustainable solutions to pollution and announced plans to convert street lights between Blue Jay and Mvindeni from conventional electricity to solar-powered systems.
The private sector also reaffirmed its commitment to environmental conservation.
Skyward Express Diani station manager Roselyn Wangechi said the airline has proudly supported the Diani Beach Zero Plastic Festival for three consecutive years because environmental conservation is closely linked to the future of tourism.
“Our participation is driven by the need to protect the environment and preserve the beauty and safety of Diani Beach for future generations,” she said.
Wangechi described Diani as one of Kenya’s greatest tourism treasures, attracting visitors from around the world and supporting thousands of livelihoods along the coast.
“The prosperity of many families depends on a clean and healthy coastal environment. Keeping Diani clean is a collective responsibility that belongs to all of us,” she added.
As volunteers filled bags with plastic waste under the coastal sun, the message emerging from the festival was unmistakable:
Protecting oceans from plastic pollution cannot be left to governments and environmental organizations alone.
It requires communities, businesses, researchers, schools and policymakers working together to ensure that future generations inherit cleaner beaches, healthier oceans and a more sustainable future.
