September's Impact, Kilifi.
Across Kilifi’s coastline, conservation is becoming more than an activity—it is becoming a shared responsibility. Through beach cleanups, turtle protection and community-led livelihood initiatives, local communities continue to play an important role in creating a healthier ocean and stronger coastal communities.
Conservation
Beach cleans
Two organised beach cleanups brought communities together to tackle marine pollution.
In collaboration with the Ocean Sole Mamaz, one cleanup removed 94 kg of waste from the coastline. Their participation reflects the growing role of coastal communities in taking action against marine pollution and keeping their surroundings clean.
On 19 September, Ocean Sole joined communities around the world for International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) at Vidazini Beach. With the support of 200 volunteers, the team removed 340 kg of waste from the coastline.
The cleanup brought together community members, schools, organisations and partners in a collective effort to address the growing challenge of marine debris. The waste collected included plastic bags, bottles, ropes, shoes, diapers and other discarded materials.
Beyond the kilograms collected, these cleanups create opportunities to raise awareness about responsible waste disposal and the importance of preventing waste from reaching the ocean in the first place.
Turtle Safe Project
Through the TurtleSafe project, conservation efforts continued along Kilifi’s beaches.
A green sea turtle nest was recorded at Kitsangani Beach, adding to ongoing efforts to protect important nesting sites and support sea turtle recovery.
Another nest is now approaching its expected hatching period and is being closely monitored as it nears the end of its incubation. Careful monitoring during this stage is essential to ensure hatchlings are detected when they emerge and given the best possible chance of reaching the ocean safely.
Every protected nest represents another opportunity to give vulnerable hatchlings a safer start, and another reason to keep coastal communities engaged in turtle conservation.
Community
Ocean Sole Mamaz
For the Ocean Sole Mamaz, environmental conservation continues alongside efforts to strengthen their livelihoods.
The Mamaz participated in a beach cleanup, helping remove 94 kg of waste from the coastline. Away from the beach, they continued maintaining their community food garden, creating a space that supports both food production and collective wellbeing.
The garden has also become a source of income. Through the production and sale of compost, the Mamaz have been able to earn a livelihood while putting organic waste to productive use.
Their hard work has also produced food to share. The group harvested pawpaws from the garden and distributed them among themselves, turning their collective effort into a shared benefit.
From cleaning the coastline to cultivating food and producing compost, the Mamaz are demonstrating how environmental action can support both healthier ecosystems and more resilient livelihoods.
Kwa Chambo Fishermen Selfhelp Group
The Kwa Chambo fishermen joined the International Coastal Cleanup, contributing their time and experience to the wider effort to reduce marine pollution.
Their conservation role extends beyond organised cleanups. As members of the fishing community in Bofa, they continue to support sea turtle conservation while increasingly becoming advocates for reducing plastic pollution within the local fishing community.
Their involvement is helping bring conversations about marine conservation closer to the people who interact with the ocean every day—encouraging fellow fishers to recognise that protecting marine ecosystems is closely connected to protecting their own livelihoods.
Looking Ahead
The work continues beyond individual cleanups, gardens and protected nests. Every community member who chooses to protect a turtle, remove waste from the beach, speak up about plastic pollution or invest in a sustainable livelihood contributes to a wider culture of coastal stewardship.
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