Environment and Climate Change Principal Secretary Eng Festus K Ng’eno today held a meeting with a delegation from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) led by Mr Philip Kisoiyan. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the implementation of the ‘Plastic Reduction in Oceans: Sustaining and Enhancing Action on Sea-Based Sources (PRO SEAS)’ project.

The PS emphasized that the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) is the most suitable organization to lead the implementation of the project, considering its mandate and role in plastic pollution management. He also called for the mapping and proactive engagement of key stakeholders in the coastal counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, and Lamu.

The ‘Plastic Reduction in Oceans: Sustaining and Enhancing Action on Sea-Based Sources (PRO SEAS)’ project is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with a budget of USD 8 million. Its main objectives are to strengthen legal, policy, and institutional frameworks; improve systems facilities, tools, and information for effective management of Sea-Based Marine Plastic Litter (SBMPL); develop incentives for environmentally sound disposal of SBMPL; and increase knowledge of solutions to reduce SBMPL.

In addition to Kenya, the five-year project will also be implemented in Vanuatu and Costa Rica. NEMA was represented at the meeting by a team led by Dr Kennedy Ondimu.