Ministry now bans plastic bottles from Karura forest, Nairobi park
By PAULINE KAIRUKenyans visiting Karura Forest and Nairobi National Park will no longer be allowed past the gates with their drinking water if it is in disposable plastic bottles.
The prohibition applies to the polyethylene terephthalate disposable water bottles commonly used by bottlers or any other plastic material.
Visitors are, however, allowed to carry their heavy-duty reusable plastic bottles.
Environment Cabinet Secretary Judi Wakhungu made the declaration at Karura Forest on Tuesday.
A similar ceremony will take place for the park at a later date.
EXTEND PROHIBITION
Prof Wakhungu said the prohibition would be extended to all other protected areas and forest reserves in due time to rid them of plastics.
“To begin with, we want all protected areas to be plastic free,” she said.
“I will then announce that all our protected areas must be plastic free because we have seen it working here in Karura.”
The Karura ban is an initiative by the Friends of Karura group that was introduced immediately after the ban on plastic bags last month.
“At the Karura gates, you will be asked to declare any plastics you have with you. And if you have any, you’ll kindly be asked to put it in a container provided at the gate,” said the CS.
“That way, we will ensure that visitors do not litter the forest when they leave.”
NATIONAL BAN
She said that soon, the government will ban disposable plastic bottles nationally, adding that discussions with manufacturers and recyclers were under way.
“It has only been three weeks since the ban on plastic bags and we have seen significant progress. Let’s see how we fare in six months.
‘‘Kenyans who do not want to use plastic bottles have a choice to start using the alternatives,” she said.