Marine Plastics and the Circular Economy: Management Gaps and Implementation Constraints in Coastal Kenya

Marine plastic pollution poses significant environmental and socioeconomic challenges, particularly in developing coastal economies. Despite Kenya’s progressive plastic waste policies, systemic gaps and implementation inefficiencies continue to hinder the shift from a linear waste model to a sustainable Blue Economy. This underscores the urgent need to transition from linear waste systems toward a circular economy model that emphasizes prevention, resource efficiency, and long-term sustainability. This study examined the lapses and barriers that impede effective plastic waste governance in Mombasa, a key maritime and economic hub in Kenya. Adopting a qualitative research design, the study synthesized insights through desk review of existing policy documents, six (6) focus group discussions, and eleven (11) key informant interviews. Findings reveal that the persistence of marine plastic waste in coastal Kenya stems from operational gaps, structural deficiencies, and weak regulations, leading to economic implications such as the free rider problem. Additionally, a complex web of interrelated political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal constraints arises from high compliance costs and double taxation on waste enterprises, low public awareness, and underdeveloped circular economy infrastructure, all of which intensify marine plastic accumulation. Ultimately, the research calls for the County Government of Mombasa to develop integrated policy interventions, which include a coordinated marine waste policy framework, a county-level Circular Economy Unit, and the mainstreaming of upstream strategies. These measures are essential for realizing the full potential of the Blue Economy and accelerating Kenya's transition to a sustainable circular future.