Engaging Citizen Science in Addressing Plastic Waste Pollution: A Case Study of the Winam Gulf in Lake Victoria, Kenya

Waste pollution poses escalating risks to the ecological integrity and economic productivity of Lake Victoria, particularly within the Winam Gulf near Kisumu. As a high-impact economic zone supporting fisheries, tourism, transport, and livelihoods for millions, the Gulf faces increasing pressure from plastic debris and untreated wastewater.

This study advances an integrated, citizen science-driven approach strategically linking environmental monitoring with socio-economic resilience. Through collaborative engagement of researchers, local communities, schools, and stakeholders, systematic quadrat-based assessments were conducted monthly over six months to quantify debris composition, sources, and distribution.

Findings revealed plastics constituted 60% of recorded litter, significantly higher than other waste streams, with statistically significant spatial variation across sites (p<0.05). The predominance of plastic waste directly threatens fisheries productivity, public health, shoreline tourism, and the broader blue economy.

By integrating community participation, scientific monitoring, and waste-sector data generation, this initiative strengthens cross-sectoral responses and supports circular economy pathways. The results underscore the urgency of scaling recycling systems, strengthening producer responsibility, and embedding citizen science within policy frameworks to enhance sustainable development outcomes along Lake Victoria’s shores.