Governor Mutula outlaws single-use plastics offices in fight against pollution

Patrick Nyakundi and Benjamin Mulwa-KNA

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has announced a ban on single-use plastics in all county offices and at official functions to combat plastic pollution in the area.

He was speaking during the World Environment Day celebrations held at Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC)- Wote Campus, where he noted that this was part of the strategies by the government to eradicate the use of plastics.

"Enough is enough! We must act now before plastics choke life out of us," Mutula warned.

"Plastic waste is a major pollutant that has become an eyesore, clogging drainage systems and impacting negatively on the environment," he added.

The governor said Wote Municipality generates 20 metric tonnes of waste daily. He attributed 25 per cent of the waste to plastics, noting that the government will construct a material recovery facility at a cost of Sh180 million to tackle the menace.

"To tackle this challenge in the long-term, the government has unveiled plans construct a MRF that will enhance waste segregation, recycling and reuse. This will also create employment for the youths," the governor said.

During the event, Mutula launched the County Forest Landscape Restoration Plan developed in partnership with the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF).

He said the plan will guide the implementation of nature-based solutions to restore degraded landscape areas in Makueni County.

Speaking at same function, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Makueni Director Vincent Oloo Ochieng said that the government has put in place laws to help in combating the plastic menace.

He said plastics kill animals and destroy the environment and called for concerted efforts from stakeholders to eradicate plastic to save the environment that is now degraded.