A group of community volunteers under the direction of Mombasa Lawyer George Kithi has kicked off a massive clean-up exercise in parts of Kilifi and its environs in the run-up to the World Oceans Day to be marked on June 8.
The beach clean-up activities along the shoreline of Copper Cabana were aimed at removing floating marine litter and debris.
The volunteers took to the major streets of the coastal city sweeping and clearing refuse from gutters and cleaning public beaches.
Lawyer Kithi said they decided to undertake the exercise geared towards ensuring that the environment was clean.
Accompanied by former Kenya Ambassador to Zambia Sophie Kombe, Kethi said they have decided to give the coastal city a clean look as part of corporate social responsibility.
They joined hands and picked up rubbish along the sandy walkways and those floating near the beaches during the daylong clean-up exercise.
The volunteers and community members removed plastic, bottles and other litter that are found in the beaches that damage marine resources.
The veteran lawyer said if marine debris that is washed ashore is not removed regularly it might trap and kill marine life.
Amb. Kombe said they had undertaken the exercise following the proliferation of heaps of uncollected garbage and trash in Mombasa and asked residents to maintain the spirit of cleanliness and hygiene.
She said the marine rubbish has the potential to suffocate wildlife besides rendering the sandy white beaches untidy and hazardous to visitors and holidaymakers.
By Mohamed Hassan
