President Uhuru Bans Single Use Plastics in all Protected Areas in Kenya

President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a ban on the use of single-use plastic products in all protected areas in the country on World Environment Day on Wednesday 5^th June 2019.

The new ban comes in a bid to complement the already established ban on the use of polythene carrier bags and packaging materials that was announced two years ago.

“Building on this, today we are announcing another ban on single-use plastics in all our protected areas, including National Parks, beaches, forests, and conservation areas, effective 5th June 2020,” the President said.

The ban announced in Canada where the President addressed the opening of Day 3 of the Women Deliver 2019 Conference, will take effect on June 5, 2020.

This now means that visitors to national parks, beaches, forests, and conservation areas will not be allowed to carry disposable plates, cups, straws, spoons, forks and water bottles, which are considered major environmental pollutants.

According to data from the UN Environment Department, about eight million tonnes of plastic are dumped into the Indian Ocean yearly.

Plastics have become a major nuisance for the environment with many littering the oceans, forests and even blocking drainages.

To make matters worse, plastic residue and materials have been found in marine animal’s stomachs with some of them dying from being chocked or strangled by these materials.

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