Ban on plastic bags improves sanitation, tourism in Lamu

Tourists enter a boat at Lamu Island on November 16, 2017. The ban on plastic bags in the country has improved tourism in major towns in Lamu.  PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Mwasambu lauded the Lamu residents for not using plastic bags.
  • Amu Division Assistant County Commissioner Philip Oloo called on the Lamu environment office to enforce the ban on plastic bags. 
  • Before the ban was imposed, many donkeys in Lamu had reportedly been dying after eating plastic bags at dumpsites and other public places.  

The ban on plastic bags in the country has improved sanitation and tourism in Lamu.  

Lamu County Tourism and Industrialisation Executive Dismas Mwasambu told the Nation on Friday that since the ban was imposed, Lamu Old Town, Shela, Matondoni, Kipungani, Kiwayu and Mkokoni beach towns are now clean, a move that has attracted more tourists to the region. 

Mr Mwasambu lauded the Lamu residents for not using plastic bags. He said cleanliness of Lamu beaches, that had previously been choking with plastic waste, has improved.

PLASTIC BAGS

“I am happy that since the ban on the use of plastic bags was imposed in 2017, sanitation at our beaches and major towns including Lamu Old Town, Shela, Matondoni, Kipungani, Kiwayu and Mkokoni has improved. We have recently received many international tourists who are fascinated with our level of cleanliness,” said Mr Mwasambu.

Amu Division Assistant County Commissioner Philip Oloo called on the Lamu environment office to enforce the ban on plastic bags. 

Mr Oloo, however, observed that increasing amounts of plastic garbage in our environment could not only affect marine life but could also affect the lives of Lamu residents and the economy.

DONKEY DEATHS

A month ago, residents in Lamu lauded the ban on plastic bags use saying it had reduced the number of donkey deaths.

Before the ban was imposed, many donkeys in Lamu had reportedly been dying after eating plastic bags at dumpsites and other public places.  

“Our donkeys don’t eat plastic bags anymore and that means they don’t die like they used to, we appreciate the ban on plastic bags,” said Mr Abbas Fadhil, a donkey owner.