Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has taken a decisive step to curb plastic pollution by banning single-use plastics in all county offices and official functions. The announcement was made during the World Environment Day celebrations held at Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) – Wote Campus, highlighting the urgent need to address the growing plastic menace.
“Enough is enough! We must act now before plastics choke the life out of us,” Governor Mutula warned as he read his speech during the event. He emphasized that plastic waste has become a serious environmental pollutant, causing blockages in drainage systems and negatively impacting the county’s natural environment.
According to Governor Mutula, Wote Municipality produces about 20 metric tonnes of waste daily, with plastics accounting for approximately 25 percent of this waste. In response, the county government plans to construct a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at a cost of Sh180 million. This facility will focus on waste segregation, recycling, and reuse, providing a sustainable solution to the plastic problem. Additionally, the MRF is expected to create employment opportunities for local youths, contributing to both environmental conservation and economic growth.
The theme for this year’s World Environment Day was “Ending Plastics Pollution,” underscoring the global urgency to tackle plastic waste. In alignment with this, Governor Mutula also launched the County Forest Landscape Restoration Plan, developed in collaboration with the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF). The plan aims to guide nature-based solutions for restoring degraded landscapes across Makueni County, further promoting environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the same function, Vincent Oloo Ochieng, Director of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in Makueni, highlighted the role of government laws in combating plastic pollution. He called for collective action among stakeholders to eradicate plastics that kill animals and degrade the environment, stressing that protecting natural resources is a shared responsibility.
Governor Mutula’s ban on single-use plastics marks a significant milestone in Makueni’s fight against pollution, setting an example for other counties to follow in safeguarding Kenya’s environment for future generations.
