New e-waste rules for Kenya
GOVERNMENT
By BiztechAfrica - Oct. 18, 2012, 7:35 a.m.
By Semaj Itosno, Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya’s environmental watchdog is set to enforce new regulations by December that will hold importers, assemblers, and manufacturers of electronics accountable for disposal of e-waste.
Under the rules drafted by the National Environment Management Authority (Nema), vendors will be expected to come up with ways of managing the waste, such as creating collection points or upgrading the recycling centres.
E-waste comprises hazardous elements which, if not handled properly, can have adverse impacts on the environment and human health.
A report by Unep in 2010 shows that Kenya is responsible for more than 2,500 tonnes of e-waste from gadgets like computers, printers, mobile phone and refrigerators.
On Wednesday, Dr Ayub Macharia, Nema’s director for environmental education, said the regulations will come into effect sometimes in December since they don’t have to go to Parliament but will be effected through the Kenya Gazette Notice by the minister.
“Offenders will pay a fine of between Sh350,000 and Sh1 million… More e-waste is expected as a result of switching off of 1.4 million counterfeit handsets and the migration to digital broadcasting,” said Dr Ayub.
MORE GOVERNMENT NEWS
DR Congo readies for world’s largest hydroelectric plant
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is preparing to build a hydroelectric plant that is expected to bring electricity to half of Africa. Read MoreBenin launches cyber security plan
Benin’s ICT Ministry is spearheading the launch of a national cyber security strategy and response centre. Read MoreICTs to be rolled out to Huambo schools
Angola’s Huambo province plans to accelerate the roll-out of ICT labs to schools across the province. Read MoreAngolan census pilot gets underway
Angolan Vice-President Manuel Domingos Vicente has launched the 15-day pilot census, ahead of the republic’s first national census in over 40 years. Read MoreBeing Pan-African symposium underway
Leading intellectuals from Africa and the African Diaspora are convening in Ethiopia for the African Union symposium “Being Pan-African.” Read MoreNCC: MNP is succeeding
Despite scepticism over MNP in a nation well used to owning multiple SIMs, Nigeria’s NCC says MNP is succeeding. Read MoreMalawi to establish National Data Centre
The Malawi government will this year establish a National Data Centre to rationalise data storage and data processing facilities in the country. Read MoreZambia commends Ghana for digital migration
Zambia’s Information and Broadcasting Services deputy minister Mwansa Kapeya has commended Ghana for the successful implementation of its digital migration programme. Read MoreMozambican President on visit to China
Mozambican President Armando Guebuza has arrived in Shanghai, on a working visit to China, to boost trade and cooperation between the two countries. Read MoreITU awards Rwanda for WSIS ICT4D action plan
The ITU has handed two awards to Rwanda for its efforts in implementing WSIS (World Summit on Information Society) in ICT for Development. Read MoreRELATED STORIES
FEATURED STORY
ICT opens doors for Kenyan slum dwellersA Nairobi based group is equipping high school girls from Nairobi's slums with ICT skills to help them participate meaningfully in building the economy.
BEST READ NEWS
IN DEPTH
Dollar-a-month broadband can change AfricaThe Microsoft-led 4Afrika TV white spaces project, taking broadband to rural people for as little as a dollar a month, is now expanding in Kenya and launching in Tanzania.
Kennedy Okwara - Dec. 2, 2012, 4:34 p.m.
The bill should be enforced as quick as possible to prevent health and environment risks associated with e-waste to solid waste management workers and the general public.