Stakeholders in the resort town of Malindi are organising the first ever Wetsand Marathon to campaign against plastic pollution from River Sabaki to the Indian Ocean on November 28 this year.
The Inaugural Estuary Marathon being organised by Progress Welfare Association of Malindi (PWAM) dubbed ‘Running Against the tide of Plastic Pollution’ shall start from the sand dunes of Mamburui across the Sabaki estuary along the beach to the Malindi marine park.
PWAM which was started in 2019 has been organising monthly clean ups to sensitize residents against waste and pollution in the Ocean and initiated the Estuary Wet Sand Marathon, a flagship initiative designed to spotlight marine plastic pollution while catalysing long-term systemic change.
Kate Mwikali the Chairperson of PWAM said the inaugural event will transform the Sabaki Estuary and Malindi beach into a powerful global stage where sport, environmental advocacy and economic opportunity converge, while raising funds for a permanent Circular Economy Hub in Malindi.
Speaking during the monthly clean up from Casino beach to the Ocean Beach Resort and Spa, Mwikali said the exercise was part of preparing the track where the marathon would be held along the beach.
“It is a very Unique Marathon, because we will be running on wetsand, it has not been done anywhere else,” she said.
Mwikali said the wastes from Upcountry in Nairobi ends up in the Ocean through the Sabaki estuary and through their efforts even the Environment Cabinet Secretary has begun intervention which is part of their expectations for action to be taken to reduce the wastes.
Dr James Mulli the President of European Business Institute of Luxembourg (EBU) who was present during the clean up said the waste problem in Malindi had become serious and was coming downstream from the Sabaki river to the Ocean.
As stakeholders he said they were not only raising awareness against plastic pollution but were also taking action by ensuring the beaches are clean.
“This has to be also picked up by the proper authorities so we are approaching the problem from the bottom to the top,” he said.
Malindi Officer in Charge of Tourist Police Vicky Odhiambo said they are fully prepared to ensure security is in place during the upcoming Marathon.
“We are prepared to ensure security for all the people who will participate in the Marathon,” she said.
Odhiambo said the monthly clean up exercise help them to connect with the community and listen to their problems and solve security problems.
Juliet Mapenzi the Malindi Sub County Administrator said the clean up was a very important exercise for Malindi which was a major tourism destination.
