Tharaka Nithi: Environment, Forestry and Climate Change Cabinet Secretary (CS) Dr. Deborah Barasa yesterday spearheaded Kenya's celebration of World Environment Day with a resounding call for citizens to mitigate plastic pollution and safeguard the environment. She emphasized the importance of collective action to protect the nation and the planet.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Barasa addressed the gathering at Tharaka University in Tharaka Nithi County, highlighting plastic pollution as a critical global environmental issue with severe repercussions on ecosystems, human health, and economic sustainability. She noted that over 430 million tonnes of plastics are produced globally each year, with two-thirds becoming waste that pollutes oceans, degrades land, and threatens biodiversity. Shockingly, only nine per cent of all plastics produced have been recycled.
Kenya has notably emerged as a leader in combating plastic pollution, starting with its 2017 ban on plastic carrier bags, achieving over 80 per cent compliance and significantly reducing litter. Dr. Barasa mentioned that the National Marine Litter Management Action Plan (2021-2030) aims to further reduce plastic waste in coastal and freshwater ecosystems through source reduction, clean-ups, awareness, and research.
The CS underscored the transformative potential of viewing waste as a resource, citing the rise of innovative solutions in Kenya that convert plastic waste into valuable products such as eco-friendly building materials, fencing poles, paving blocks, roofing tiles, and furniture. These innovations are not only reducing pollution but also creating green jobs and driving local economic development.
Dr. Barasa urged county governments, businesses, civil societies, and communities to lead in waste segregation, sustainable packaging, and local recycling solutions. She emphasized the role of local communities in ending plastic pollution, supported by her Ministry's commitment to transitioning the country from a linear to a circular economy.
Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki echoed these sentiments, stressing that plastic pollution is a present danger affecting water, soil, and food. He highlighted the county's efforts to address environmental issues through policy frameworks like the County Climate Change Adaptation Plan (2023-2028) and the Tharaka Nithi Climate Change Fund Act 2019, which support local climate initiatives and waste management programs.
County Woman Representative Susan Mwindu reiterated the necessity of protecting the environment, emphasizing collective action at all levels as key to securing a sustainable future. National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) Director General Mamo Boru Mamo shared that Kenya generates approximately 22,000 tonnes of solid waste daily, with only seven per cent recycled, underscoring the need for innovation and investment in waste management solutions.
Mamo highlighted NEMA's strategic programs, including licensing for plastic-related activities and enforcing environmental laws, to ensure safety standards in waste management. He called for a shift from the "throwaway culture" to eco-friendly practices, stressing the importance of personal responsibility in waste generation and environmental protection.