Kenya’s plastic bag ban
By Guardian Exclusive
02 May 2018 |
11:08 am
Kenya's plastic bag ban is already yielding results, eight months after it came into effect. Initially considered draconian because of the stiff penalties, the country is now the better for it.
In this article
Related
Related
15 Jul
The protests are backed by opposition leader Raila Odinga, with more demos expected next week. Hundreds have been arrested and several were killed, as the UN expresses concern about the use of force by authorities.
20 Jul
Kenyan President William Ruto lifts a ban on logging, saying his government will still push ahead with plans to plant 15 billion trees over the next decade, but climate experts warn his decision could be catastrophic. Meanwhile, concerns grow in the Horn of Africa as Russia announces a halt to the Black Sea grain deal. Finally, the EU inks a deal with Tunisia to stem irregular migration despite criticism of Tunis's human rights record, including treatment of sub-Saharan migrants.
20 Jul
Kenya is bracing for three days of protests this week. The demonstrations are being organised by opposition leader Raila Odinga, who accuses the government of failing to control a cost of living crisis. Also, as the conflict rages in Sudan, we look at the economic impact of the war on neighbouring Central African Republic, where many are dependant on supplies from across the border. Finally, we are heading to Kigali, Rwanda, where the 6th 'Women Deliver' conference is being held.
22 Jul
The opposition in Kenya has again called for protests over the rising cost of living and tax hikes. But the government has publicly warned that it clamp down on protesters who cause any harm during rallies.
23 Jul
Clashes in Kenya claim six more lives as police and protesters face off in the capital Nairobi, but fewer demonstrators are out on the streets than in previous days. Also, as the Women's World Cup kicks off, we head to Morocco to hear how the country's first ever participation in the tournament is changing the image of the game as a man's sport. Finally, we speak to Seysey, one of France's most celebrated urban music producers and composers, as he releases his own songs for the first time.
26 Jul
Second-hand shoes from abroad are highly coveted in Kenya. They're cheap to buy and high in quality. But the government wants to ban the imports of such leather products in two years. President William Ruto's administration says it hopes to strengthen the local leather industry this way. However, those dealing in used shoes are up in arms - as are consumers.
26 Jul
President William Ruto says he lifted the ban on logging to create jobs for Kenya's youth. But climate activists are pushing back on what they see as his doublespeak on climate justice.
29 Jul
In Kenya, the sharp rise in grain prices caused by Russia ending the shipping deal, is hitting hard. The entire region is in the worst drought seen for four decades.
19 Aug
Although education is a fundamental human right, it’s often out of reach for women, girls, and people living in low-income communities. The Recycles Pay Educational project in Lagos, Nigeria, ensures that children from these communities remain in school while promoting plastic recycling. The initiative allows parents or guardians to pay their ward’s school fees using plastic bottles and cans.
14 Aug
Although education is a fundamental human right, it’s often out of reach for women, girls, and people living in low-income communities. The Recycles Pay Educational project in Lagos, Nigeria, ensures that children from these communities remain in school while promoting plastic recycling. The initiative allows parents or guardians to pay their ward’s school fees using plastic bottles and cans.
15 Aug
Schools in Kenya are adopting virtual reality (VR) in classrooms to enhance learning and teach pupils about social and environment issues. A social enterprise, Ukwenza VR, is spearheading the VR trend.
21 Aug
Kenya's government is investigating the activities of a digital company that had members of the public flocking to sign up for its identification project. Critics have raised questions over the use and protection of the biometric data being collected by Worldcoin.
Latest
41 mins ago
Twenty countries agreed at the COP28 climate summit to triple their nuclear energy capacity by 2050 to reduce carbon emissions. How feasible is the target given the complexities and cost of building new nuclear plants?
42 mins ago
In an interview with FRANCE 24, former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko (2014-2019) reacted to the US Senate withholding a major package of financial and military aid for Kyiv. Poroshenko warned that the coming days are among "the most important in Ukrainian history" and undoubtedly for the world.
42 mins ago
Olaf Scholz became the first German chancellor to light Berlin's central Hanukkah menorah, in what he called a sign of "solidarity" with Jews amid a surge of antisemitism during the Israel-Hamas war.
1 hour ago
As a nation enters a third winter of fighting for its very existence, it must wait – one ocean away – on a domestic partisan feud. Republicans in the US Senate have shrugged off Joe Biden's plea not to gift a win to Vladimir Putin and have blocked aid for Ukraine over a dispute on funding for the border with Mexico.
2 hours ago
While the world watches Israel's war with Hamas and the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, surely anything that eases tensions is to be welcomed? So why won't Israel's government call time on attacks by Jewish settlers in the West Bank, settlers who since October 7 have stepped up their push to forcefully expel Palestinians from their land?
2 hours ago
Cyclone Michaung has hit the coast of Andhra Pradesh state in southeastern India, causing widespread damage. At least eight people have been killed in intense floods in the city of Chennai further down the coast.
×

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.