Governor Mutula bans single-use plastics in Makueni county offices, functions

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has announced a ban on single-use plastics in all county offices and at official functions in an effort 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.

The governor noted that this was part of the strategies by government to eradicate the use of plastics.

"Enough is enough! We must act now before plastics choke the life out of us," warned Mutula while reading his speech during the event.

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

The governor said that Wote Municipality generates 20 metric tonnes of waste daily and 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 to construct an MRF that will enhance waste segregation, recycling, and reuse.

This will also create employment for the youths, the governor said.

This year's Theme: "Ending Plastics Pollution." During the event, Mutula launched the County Forest Landscape Restoration Plan that was developed in partnership with the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF).

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

Speaking at sthe ame 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.

While saying plastics kill animals and destroy the environment, Ochieng called for concerted efforts from stakeholders in eradicating plastic to save the environment that has been degraded.