Media Urged to Educate Consumers on Waste Management as Kenya Enforces EPR Framework
Panel discussion during the KEPRO Media breakfast in Nairobi on Tuesday March 24, 2026
The media has been urged to play a leading role in educating consumers on responsible waste management as Kenya steps up enforcement of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework aimed at reducing pollution and strengthening recycling systems.
The call was made during a media engagement convened by the Kenya Extended Producer Responsibility Organization (KEPRO) in Nairobi, bringing together regulators, industry leaders and journalists to deepen understanding of the EPR framework and its role in promoting environmental accountability.
Speaking at the forum Eng. Boniface Mamboleo of National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) said public awareness remains one of the biggest gaps in implementing the regulations, noting that many businesses and consumers still lack accurate information about how the system works.
“I think the media can be key in driving awareness,” Eng. Mamboleo said “Many non-compliance issues do not really come from resistance but from lack of clarity, and this is a gap that the media can help address by creating awareness and demystifying EPR obligations.”
Eng. Boniface also urged journalists to help correct widespread misconceptions about the framework, including the belief that EPR is a tax imposed on businesses.
“EPR is not a tax. It is a responsibility framework that compels producers placing products into the market to remain accountable for those products even after the consumer stage,” he said.
Beyond raising awareness, the media was also challenged to strengthen investigative reporting on environmental violations such as illegal dumping, misleading environmental claims and companies that fail to comply with waste management regulations.
Stakeholders said such reporting could help uncover environmental offences while strengthening accountability across the waste management value chain.
Ms.Queenter Mbori from the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) emphasized the power of storytelling in shaping consumer behaviour and influencing how the public approaches waste management.
“Media is a reflection of society, but it should also reflect how society should look,” she said “Through impactful and sustained storytelling, journalists can help people understand complex issues like EPR and make informed decisions.”
She added that environmental reporting should go beyond event-based coverage and instead focus on long-term storytelling that helps audiences understand the impact of everyday consumer choices on the environment.
Georgina Wachuka, Policy and research Advocacy lead at Kenya Association of manufacturers noted that manufacturers are increasingly adopting circular economy practices aimed at reducing waste and improving sustainability.
These include redesigning packaging to make it easier to recycle, introducing refill systems to reduce single-use packaging and promoting bulk purchasing to minimize unnecessary waste.
“We are transitioning towards a circular economy where companies are rethinking how products are designed and packaged,” Wachuka said.
However, experts emphasized that such initiatives can only succeed if consumers also play an active role by properly disposing of waste, supporting recyclable products and demanding environmentally responsible practices from companies.
Participants agreed that stronger collaboration between regulators, businesses, the media and the public will be critical in advancing Kenya’s transition towards a circular economy.
KEPRO said it will continue working closely with journalists to strengthen awareness of the EPR framework, noting that informed reporting can play a powerful role in encouraging responsible consumption and improving waste management across the country.
