KENYA ENJOYING A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT AFTER PLASTIC BAN

CS, Mr. Keriako Tobiko, fielding questions from a K24 TVkl reporter, during the interview.

Kenya is on the path to achieving a cleaner environment following the recent ban on plastic carrier bags.

Speaking to the media in his office on the milestones achieved after two years of plastic ban, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Forestry Mr. Keriako Tobiko observed that, there has been tremendous progress in the enforcement of the ban.

Over 500 people have so far been arrested for the offence while 300 others were prosecuted and fined between sh. 50,000 and sh.150,000. Some of the arrested people were jailed, the CS added.

Observing that there has been tremendous progress in reduction of the circulation and distribution of the plastic carrier bags, Mr. Tobiko cited human and financial constraints and lack of capacity as some of the challenges facing National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in  fully discharging its role.

Mr. Tobiko enumerated porous borders, inability of County Governments to take up the devolved environmental conservation function and low public awareness on attitude change as some of the other challenges facing the plastic ban.

The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Forestry gazetted the ban on plastics on February 28, 2017 and it took effect on August 28 the same year. The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has since been enforcing the ban leading to a cleaner environment in many parts of the country.

CS, Mr. Keriako Tobiko, stressing a point during the media interview.