Conservationists in Malindi have begun reaching out to international partners to help build barriers at the Sabaki River Mouth to block plastic wastes from entering the Indian Ocean.

The Environmentalists said with support they shall be able to reduce large amounts of trash that gets to the Ocean from the River upstream due to pollution and help maintain cleanliness.

Stakeholders led by the Progress Welfare Association of Malindi (PWAM) who have been doing monthly clean ups on beaches and in the resort town since 2019 said their efforts are bearing fruits as the trash had reduced drastically due to their efforts.

Kate Mwikali the Chairperson of PWAM said due to sensitization and the regular clean up locals including children have embraced cleanliness that has helped reduce trash.

She however said due to the increased pollution in the River Sabaki drains its water to the Ocean from Nairobi’s Athi River there was need for more efforts to help block the waste from the river to the Indian Ocean.

Speaking during a clean up exercise from Coco Beach to Yakutsi Beach Mwikali said they reached out to the Great Burble Barrier in Netherlands to help them do a feasibility study at the Sabaki River mouth and if possible, build barriers to prevent trash from getting into the Ocean.

“That conversation is still going on, we have also reached out to Clean Oceans they have 30 Cities that they are cleaning so we are not among the 30 cities that they have now where they have a project to clean the oceans but we want to be included in the list,” she said.

The PWAM chairperson encouraged residents and tourists to continue cleaning the beach so as to ensure the beach is clean and free from plastic wastes.

“This is really good because of the Marathon coming up on November 28th this year, the beach is quite clean e have been consistently cleaning like I said we have been cleaning always and now you can actually run barefoot on the beach,” he said.

Audrey Fabre an international tourist and conservationist said she was happy to see Malindi stakeholders coming together to clean the beaches to keep off plastics.

Frabre said she was happy to see children taking part in the environmental clean ups as they were learning from early age about the importance of keeping the environment clean.

“The impact of the clean up is very good, we can see the beach is much clean, sea life is also improving and increasing fishermen are getting a good catch an I take this opportunity to invite all tourists visiting Malindi to join this monthly clean up so as to keep the beach clean,” she said.

Vicky Odhiambo the officer in Charge of Tourist Police Unit in Malindi said they were happy to see the beaches being kept clean and their participation as security personnel helps them sensitize people on the importance of safety and security.

“We are always happy to join as tourist police and we pledge our support all the time on matters beach security beach related and tourism at large,” she said.

Malindi marine park Warden Ntindi Kassim said through the monthly clean ups and sensitization trash has reduced drastically on the beaches.