Nairobi News

Nairobi governor Mike Sonko has promised to provide eco-friendly garbage bags for waste disposal in the wake of the ban on plastic bags.

The eco-friendly garbage bags will be made from corn and starch and be distributed to homes in Nairobi.

Governor Sonko, in a statement on Tuesday, said his administration already opened talks with producers of the eco-friendly bags that are 100 per cent biodegradable.

“Despite the huge inconvenience the ban may cause to the manufacturers, the business community and consumers, we all have to agree that we have a duty to conserve and protect our environment for future generations,” said Governor Sonko.

“In the next few days, my administration will not only provide these eco-friendly bags made from corn and cassava starch to households for waste disposal, but support the establishment of new factories and conversion of existing ones to manufacture them,” he added.

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Tuesday, August 29, 2017 STATEMENT BY NAIROBI GOVERNOR ON THE BAN OF PLASTICS BAGS One of the greatest challenges Nairobi faces today is waste management and disposal. Plastic bags form major contributor to the waste disposed by every household in Nairobi. During my campaigns, I pledged to deliver a cleaner, healthier city. And I choose to stick to my promise. Despite the huge inconvenience the ban may cause to the manufacturers, the business community and consumers, we all have to agree that we have a duty to conserve and protect our environment for future generations. I wish to state categorically that I am in full support of the ban. That is why my administration has embarked on elaborate discussions with producers of eco-friendly bags that are 100% biodegradable, alongside key sector players including the Ministry of Environment and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). In the next few days, my administration will not only provide these eco-friendly bags made from corn and cassava starch to households for waste disposal, but support the establishment of new factories and conversion of existing ones to manufacture them. This will not only provide thousands of jobs for our youth, but also provide an alternative to our traders and residents, in compliance with the law. I look forward to the support of all of you as we make Nairobi the "Green City in the Sun" again. #TransformingNairobi – H.E. MIKE MBUVI SONKO GOVERNOR Nairobi City County

A post shared by Mike Sonko (@mike.sonko) on Aug 29, 2017 at 12:25am PDT