5-year old Aaryan Kunal Bid has petitioned the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) seeking the agency's backing to have single-use plastics banned in the country.
While a ban on plastic bags came into effect in 2017, Aaryan wants plastics that include straws, soda and water bottles and most food packaging banned as well.
Singe-use plastics refers to disposable plastics used only once before they are thrown away or recycled.
Aaryan, a junior ranger, also petitioned the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in the appeal that has been gaining traction online since it was posted to Change.org on Wednesday.
He decried the negative impact plastics had on the health of animals as well as the continued pollution of oceans.
[caption caption="Aaryan Kunal Bid "]
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"My name is Aaryan Kunal Bid, I am 5 year old and a Junior Ranger. I live in Kenya. I would like people to stop using single use plastic in Kenya, as it is destroying our world. Animals are eating the plastic waste and getting ill and dying. Our oceans are being used as a dump site for plastic.
"Our parents have borrowed this world from us and our children, so please help me ensure it is still around for many more generations," his petition read.
Earlier this year, the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) announced plans to ban the use and manufacture of plastic bottles.
NEMA Board of Management Chair John Konchellah had promised that the ban would be effected by April 30 but this did not come to fruition.
“The board has been engaging stakeholders in the manufacturing industry who have promised to start up recycling companies to deal with the waste. But if they will not have taken the adequate measures as discussed with Nema, the ban will be effected,” he noted.
[caption caption="NEMA Board of Management Chair John Konchellah "]
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