Kenya is cementing its position as a regional leader in the global fight against plastic pollution.
Environment and Climate Change Principal Secretary Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno is calling for radical reform in how plastics are designed, used, and disposed of.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day hybrid summit on Democratizing Plastic Governance and Public Engagement, Dr. Ng’eno attributed the worsening plastic crisis to the dominance of low-value, single-use plastic products that rapidly become waste.
“The world produces over 430 million tons of plastic annually, two-thirds of which are short-lived. These end up polluting ecosystems, degrading biodiversity, and even entering human and animal food chains,” he said.
The event, jointly organized by the Centre for Environment Justice and Development (CEJAD) and the Swedish-based International Centre for Local Democracy (ICLD), brought together local and global stakeholders to examine policy gaps, share innovations, and strengthen collaborations against plastic pollution.
Dr. Ng’eno stressed that short-term interventions such as clean-ups are not sustainable. Instead, he urged producers to prioritize circular economy principles by designing products that are durable, reusable, and easier to recycle or repair.
Highlighting Kenya’s progressive stance, he noted the 2017 ban on plastic carrier bags and the 2020 prohibition of single-use plastics in protected areas. He also pointed to recent regulatory milestones, including the enactment of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies and new rules governing plastic packaging.
“Kenya is not just taking action locally. We’re also making clear demands at global plastics treaty negotiations, calling for reduced plastic production, elimination of toxic additives, and full transparency from manufacturers,” he added.
The summit aims to bridge policy and grassroots action through case studies, civil society engagement, and peer learning from across East Africa.
Attendees include Mombasa Deputy Governor Hon. Francis Thoya, CEJAD Executive Director Griffins Ochieng, ICLD Director Marie-José Zapata Campos, and county environmental leaders.
