European Union launches campaign to combat Plastic Pollution in Kenya

In Kenya, as various counties exhibited various ways to fit into the day's theme, in Nairobi, the European Union in partnership with the Kenya Government launched a campaign dubbed 'Generation Green,' a program aimed at ending Plastic Pollution in Kenya.

Generation Green Climate Campaign targets primary school children who are believed to be open-minded to change and easy to mould for desired change.

Gracing the World Environment Day which also happened to mark the start of European Union climate diplomacy week,  EU Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger expressed dedication towards supporting Kenyan Environment and Climate Change programs.

"The EU has been a global leader in trying to address Climate Change, Mitigation and Adaptation. Our priority in our cooperation in Kenya is to support the transition of Kenya, to a Green economy and a green future. It is not just about saving the planet, it's very much by creating sustainable jobs and livelihoods," she reiterated.

Generation Green youth are being trained on using plastics to create puppets for display for their aesthetical nature and are also trained to use the puppets to come up with theatre plays of environmental and climate change themes.

The program's pilot phase is currently underway, with the involvement of representatives from 20 schools. 

Jeremiah Ambasa, the president of Artists Forum International and an artist associated with the Kenya Institute of Puppet Theatre, expressed optimism that the program's success could lead to its full adoption in schools nationwide.

By providing students with comprehensive manuals on responsible living and environmental protection, the program has the potential to significantly increase Kenya's recycling rate, presently at a mere 5%, to an impressive 80% if embraced by all students.

This partnership between the EU and the Kenyan government, facilitated by the Kenya Institute of Puppet Theatre, aspires to create a plastic pollution-free Kenya.

It forms a crucial part of the wider endeavor to steer the nation towards a green transition, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. 

Through collaborative efforts, international support, and local engagement, this initiative endeavors to create a lasting impact on Kenya's environmental landscape while inspiring generations to come.