CSOs call for the Implementation of Kenya’s waste management laws for a just transition. Published: 3 March 2026 Press Release On International Waste Pickers Day, CEJAD and the Heinrich Böll Foundation are calling on the Kenyan government to formally integrate waste pickers into the country's new waste management framework. Speaking at a dialogue in Eldoret, stakeholders emphasized that true implementation of the Sustainable Waste Management Act (2022) and EPR regulations is the only path to ensuring dignity, safety, and fair compensation for the thousands of workers who sustain Kenya's recycling economy.
Plastic Pollution Is a Gender Issue, the Global Treaty Must Say So Published: 15 August 2025 Article As world leaders meet in Geneva, Switzerland, for the final round of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-5.2) one truth must not be overlooked: Plastic pollution is also a gender issue. Faiba Kombo
Kenyan Civil Society Coalition Calls for Strong African Unity and Ambitious Plastics Treaty Ahead of INC-5.2 Published: 1 August 2025 Press Release In the lead-up to the fifth resumed session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) on the Global Plastics Treaty, the Kenyan Civil Society Coalition to End Plastic Pollution is calling on African governments to boldly demand and push for an ambitious, legally binding treaty. The treaty must be fit for purpose; protecting human health and the environment from plastic pollution across its lifecycle.
World Environment Day : CSO Coalition Urges Kenyan Government and Private Sector to Take Urgent Action on Ending Plastic Pollution Across Its Entire Lifecycle Published: 5 June 2025 Press Release In commemoration of this year's World Environment Day, a group of Civil Society actors working to end plastic pollution in Kenya are sounding the alarm on the urgent need for concrete action from Kenya’s government to end plastic pollution across its lifecycle. The escalating plastic pollution crisis is threatening our environment, health and marine ecosystems. With this year's World Environment Day theme focused on #EndingPlasticPollution, the coalition highlights the escalating plastic pollution crisis threatening our environment, health and marine ecosystems.
COP29 Exacerbates Climate Injustice Published: 29 November 2024 Analysis COP29 was expected to deliver a global goal for climate finance that meets the challenges of the future. It failed to do so. Instead, it launched international carbon markets that create new loopholes for fossil fuel emitters.
Call for African Solidarity in Reduction of Primary Plastics Production and Elimination of Hazardous Chemicals in Plastics at INC-5. Published: 20 November 2024 Press release Nairobi, Kenya, November 19, 2024– Kenyan civil society organizations, led by the Centre for Environment Justice and Development (CEJAD) and Heinrich Böll Foundation Nairobi, have urged African leaders to unite in demanding for decisive action to reduce production of plastics and eliminate hazardous chemicals in plastics throughout their lifecycle.
Why we should be taking the plastic crisis seriously – and how we can find ways out of it Published: 17 June 2024 Commentary Based on current trends, a massive increase in plastic production is expected, even though it is already clear that the planet is awash with plastic litter. In this situation, “business as usual” is not an option.
The Global Plastics Treaty must address social and environmental injustices across the plastics lifecycle. Published: 6 June 2024 Article Despite African countries leading in plastic bans, they remain vulnerable to the plastic pollution crisis. The petrochemical and plastics industry lobby sees Africa as an opportunity for their growth. Increased plastic production continues to weaken Africa’s regulations, turning them into hubs for unregulated plastic waste dumping. As we approach the final session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, focus must be on addressing the social and environmental injustices of plastic pollution across its lifecycle. Discover how vulnerable communities, especially women and children, are disproportionately affected and what steps are needed to create lasting change.
Gender-Equitable Employment amidst Kenya's Plastic Predicament Published: 3 April 2024 Article In Kenya, there are more waste pickers than men. This clearly indicates that women, bear the brunt of the impact of plastic pollution, which is not merely environmental but deeply intertwined with pre-existing gender inequalities. Many women find themselves relegated to the informal waste sector, where job security is uncertain, wages are inadequate, and workplace conditions are not unsafe. The rise in plastic waste only complicates these inequities, disproportionately affecting women who are already vulnerable. Faiba Kombo
The long war against plastic carrier bags Published: 24 November 2022 Article The 2017 ban on plastic bags, which won Kenya international applause, did not come out of the blue. It came after a decade of sustained pressure from citizens and lobby groups who had had enough of the devastating effects of the plastics.
Garbage collectors who are treated like trash Published: 24 November 2022 Article Refuse handlers work under very difficult conditions, exposing themselves to dangerous toxins, often with little or no protection at all. Sadly, despite helping to keep the environment clean, they get little recognition.
Remorseless killer on land and in the sea Published: 24 November 2022 Article Ubiquitous plastics are wreaking havoc everywhere; they are causing flooding and killing animals and humans on land and sucking air and life out of aquatic animals.
Plastic bags menace: what are the alternatives? Published: 18 October 2022 Article The 2017 ban on plastics is yielding positive results in the form a cleaner environment. However, the search for environmentally-friendly and affordable alternatives to plastic carrier bags is still on. By Geoffrey Odhiambo Onyango
Kenya should lead the way in ending plastic pollution in Africa Published: 15 June 2022 Press release The Heinrich Böll Stiftung (hbs) has unveiled a campaign aimed at fostering dialogue to end plastic pollution in the country as stakeholders call on the government to put up stringent measures to end plastic pollution in the country.
A World without Plastic Pollution Is Possible - A Book for Teens Informs and Guides on Plastic Published: 3 June 2021 Prese Release Today, the Heinrich Böll Foundation is publishing the digital non-fiction book Unpacked! Plastic, Waste, and Me.
Endorse the Fossil Fuel non-proliferation Treaty Published: 6 October 2020 Call to Action Climate change, like nuclear weapons, is a major global threat. Bold and immediate action is needed to address the climate emergency. We call upon you to endorse the fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty today.
Prof. Wangari Maathai - A Birthday Tribute In Memory of Africa’s Most Famous Green Politician Published: 1 April 2020 Article Prof. Wangari Maathai would have celebrated her 80th Birthday today, April 1, 2020. Together with the global social and “green” movements, we remember one of our Heroines and pay tribute to our Green Icon, the Kenyan 2004 Nobel Peace Laureate and winner of the Petra-Kelly Prize of Heinrich Boell Foundation. Fredrick Njau
Plastic Atlas demonstrates scale of plastic pollution crisis and solutions for a zero waste future Published: 7 November 2019 New Publication A world without plastic pollution is a vision worth fighting for. The Plastic Atlas provides facts and figures about a world full of plastics.
Thank You For The Rain Published: 23 June 2017 Thank You For The Rain - Banyak Films Watch on Vimeo This external content requires your consent. Please note our privacy policy. Thank You For The Rain is a feature documentary that tells the story of Kisilu Musya, a Kenyan father on the frontline of climate change. Five years ago Kisilu, a Kenyan farmer, started to use his camera to capture the life of his family, his village and the damages of climate change. When a violent storm throws him and a Norwegian filmmaker together we see him transform from a father, to community leader to an activist on the global stage.
Roads to Justice: The Impacts of Road Construction in Northern Kenya Published: 7 September 2016 This article looks at the current road infrastructure development in Northern Kenya. It demonstrates numerous instances of non-compliance with national laws, provisions of the environmental management plan and environmental impact assessment license, and illustrates the grave ways that the local community is being impacted by these violations. It points out the need to adhere to the rule of law, which is there to protect rather than deprive us of a prosperous nation.
