East African bloc congratulates Kenya on banning of shopping plastic bags

ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 1– The Intergovernmental Authority on
Development (IGAD) has congratulated Kenya and its Ministry of Environment
and Natural Resources for taking a bold step in banning the production and
use of shopping plastic bags in Kenya.

Plastic bags have become one of the most damaging elements to the
environment in the region, noted the East African bloc in its statement on
Wednesday. “The impact of plastic bags on our urban environment is
conspicuous in our cities and towns in the region, where it can be seen
that the sewerage systems are clogged and trees are festooned with
plastics. In a similar manner, our inland and marines ecosystems are
polluted with plastic bags,” it said. It further stated that the
terrestrial and marine plastic bag pollution has a negative impact on the
health of terrestrial and marine animal resources, which in turn has
negative impact on human health and economic development of the region.
Banning of plastic bags would therefore go a long way towards improving the
human, animal and environmental health as well as the economic development
in the region. IGAD believes the bold step taken by Kenya is going to
contribute greatly to the protection of the environment and would promote
integration in the environment sector in the region.IGAD is proud to be
associated with the achievements in protecting the environment in the
region and commits itself to promote the Kenya’s experience and other best
practices in the region. – XINHUA