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Careless waste disposal has been a challenge in Lamu Old Town and there are fears this could get it delisted as a world heritage site.
The town, also known as Lamu island, was listed by Unesco in 2001 for its unique and well-preserved culture and heritage spanning decades.
However, since then a number of factors have come up that are threatening the town's status.
They include westernisation and poor waste disposal.
The town was in 2014 placed on the World Monuments Watch by Unesco as being under threat by westernisation, forces of nature and the impact of social, political and economic change.
The town has over the years grappled with proper waste disposal. Its streets, beaches and seafront are strewn with garbage, especially plastic waste.
The National Youth on Culture and Heritage Council on Thursday organised a cleanup in an effort to restore the town's beauty.
They were led by Julius Mwahunga, Kenya National Commission for Unesco acting director for Culture Programme.
Mwahunga said a clean and beautiful environment was also among the universal values that contributed to the listing of Lamu Old Town as a World Heritage site.
“The plastic menace in Lamu and along the coastal and marine landscape is still a challenge. This cleanup serves to remind all of us that we have the power to make the environment that we want by keeping it clean and safe,” he said.
Mwahunga said the dumping of waste on the beaches of Lamu and the entire Coast region was a growing concern and a stark reminder of the threats posed to the listing of towns such as Lamu by Unesco.
He urged residents to stop dumping waste in the ocean and set aside dumping grounds.
Mohammed Mwenje, National Museums of Kenya curator in charge of Lamu Museums and World Heritage site, said despite the nationwide ban introduced in August 2017, a lot still needs to be done to contain plastics.
The dirty beaches and streets have attracted large swarms of flies, posing a health challenge.
“Locals need to conduct such cleanups frequently to keep this place clean. That way, we get to save the old town from any chances of being delisted,” Mwenje said.
Edited by Josephine M. Mayuya
