Kenya's tourism stakeholders hail single-use plastic ban in protected areas

Stakeholders in Kenya's tourism sector have hailed a ban on single-use plastics in protected areas.

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is on an official visit to Canada, announced the ban on single-use plastics in Kenya's main protected areas during the World Environment Day on Wednesday.

"We congratulate and thank the president for this important step in waste management and conservation of our natural resources," said the tourism players in a joint statement issued in Nairobi.

"It came after a passionate appeal from the tourism and wildlife conservation stakeholders, who have fully supported the president's action," they added.

"Today (Wednesday), we are announcing another ban on single-use plastics in all our protected areas, including national parks, beaches, forests and conservation areas effective June 5, 2020," said Kenyatta.

He said that Kenya is committed to sustainable management of solid waste to promote environmental and human health.

Tourism stakeholders said that plastic pollution that was impacting negatively on wildlife habitats, marine life and fresh water sources, is a drawback to environmental sustainability in Kenya.

"Once used and disposed improperly, plastic bottles, straws and related products become litter and find their way into open grounds, waterways, vegetation in National Parks, beaches and conservation areas," they said.

Players in Kenya's tourism sector said the latest ban on single-use plastics in protected areas will advance the green agenda in line with the Vision 2030 and UN Sustainable Development Goals.

"The ban underlines the government's commitment in managing the plastic pollution menace in line with legal provisions on waste management and conservation of natural resources," said the tourism players.