Samuel Lopokoit, the Kilifi county NEMA director, speaking during the clean-up campaign. [Photo/Victor Wanaswa]
Kilifi county residents have praised and firmly supported the government’s decision to ban manufacture and use of plastic bags.
During a street clean-up campaign, residents complained of having incurred losses to a tune of millions of shillings annually following deaths of their livestock after they consumed non-biodegradable polythene bags from dumping sites in towns and villages.
Samuel Lopokoit the Kilifi county NEMA director says the clean-up event is aimed at sensitizing the public on compliance and enforcement to completely do away with plastic bags that have been polluting the environment.
"The truth is that the plastic bags are being used, the law was passed but when it comes to the rural areas people are still using the bags. That shows that people have not been sensitized enough about the effects of plastic bags." said Lopokoit.
Lopokoit also said that the ban is gradually being effected as some innovative alternatives are now in the market, a sign that the fight in plastic bags is bearing fruit.