In Kisumu, Kenya, a powerful movement has taken root along the shores of Lake Victoria—one led not by politicians or corporations, but by the youth of the community. Spearheaded by Claudius Mbuya through the Lake Victoria Restoration and Action Summits, this Season of Solutions campaign set out with a bold vision: to raise awareness, inspire action, and create lasting environmental change by equipping young people with the tools to tackle the region’s mounting waste crisis.
What began as a simple goal—to train young people in waste management—quickly grew into a vibrant community effort. Over 300 youth and local residents were engaged through summits, workshops, and educational events focused on plastic pollution, conservation, and sustainable practices. In just a few months, Claudius and his team led four major training sessions, each one digging deeper into the challenges and solutions surrounding waste in their community.
But this project didn’t stop at education. It took action.
In addition to waste training, the team launched waste reclamation efforts, planted trees, and hosted a special session on policy and youth-led enterprises. More than 220 young participants attended that session alone—learning how to formalize their recycling initiatives and turn their passion into real, sustainable businesses.
The momentum didn’t end there. With the support and skills gained from the program, a group of trained youth has already launched a legally registered waste collection business. Now, they’re on the verge of full government incorporation and are preparing to apply for funding that will bring their vision to life—creating jobs, improving waste management, and protecting the local environment.
This isn’t just a win for Kisumu. It’s a blueprint for youth-led environmental change across the globe.