Are you an environmental enthusiast who loves everything around you in order? James Wakibia is a plastic waste advocate focused on reducing environmental pollution in Kenya. He uses his social media platforms to create awareness of the impact of plastic pollution in the country. The environmental advocate spearheaded the ban on plastic bags in August 2017. But, apart from his plastic waste advocacy, what else is known about James Wakibia?
James Wakibia has been passionate about photography since childhood. He was driven to photography by the anger he felt when he encountered waste along his way to school. The photojournalist fights poorly managed dump sites with plastic bags and trash. Explore more about the activist’s life and journey to environmental conservation.
James Wakibia’s profile summary
| Full name | James Wakibia |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | 40 years old (as of 2024) |
| Place of birth | Rongai, Nakuru County, Kenya |
| Ethnicity | African |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Hair colour | Black |
| Eye colour | Dark brown |
| Siblings | Seven |
| Profession | Plastic waste advocate, photojournalist and environmental activist |
| X (Twitter) | @JamesWakibia |
| @James Wakibia |
James Wakibia’s biography
The plastic waste campaigner was born and raised in Matweku village in Rongai Nakuru County. He is the fourth born in a family of eight. He was reportedly born in 1984 and is 40 years old as 2024.
James Wakibia’s education
James completed his secondary education at Jomo Kenyatta High School, Nakuru, in 2004. He then pursued his undergraduate studies at Egerton University, graduating with a bachelor of art in communication and media in 2015.
How did James Wakibia become famous?
In 2013, James delivered a petition to the county government of Nakuru demanding the relocation of the Gioto dump site. However, the county government responded that there was no alternative land and the site would remain as it was. Nonetheless, this did not deter Wakibia from achieving his goal.
He persisted by writing articles and letters to editors while posting comments on his social media platforms. In 2015, the plastic waste advocate formed a group called “In The Streets of Nakuru”. The group assisted him in petitioning the county assembly of Nakuru to discuss ways of controlling plastic pollution in the county. Unfortunately, his efforts did not bear any fruit.
During the same year, he started a social media campaign using the Twitter hashtag #banplasticsKE to call for a ban on plastics and their replacement with bags. Later, in August 2017, the campaign won the support of Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources, Judi Wakhungu.
Wakibia has been the co-founder of theEco-Rethink Organisation since July 2021. The organisation holds community clean-up events that focus on eliminating environmental pollution nationwide. He uses social media platforms such as X (Twitter) to campaign against plastic pollution.
His activism led to the government officially announcing the ban on plastic bags in August 2017. He also campaigned online for two patients detained by hospitals for outstanding medical bills. Because of him, the hospital released the two patients through government interventions.
Awards and achievements
James Wakibia won the Onimi Awards 2022 for the best environmental champions. According toNakuru Today on YouTube, the plastic waste advocate gave a speech after receiving his award. He said,
They say, a prophet is never recognised at his home, but the Onimi awards is saying otherwise. Thank you so much for recognising people who are doing an amazing work in Nakuru County and it starts here and goes upwards. You know we have big problems with our environment especially from last week and we as human beings especially from Nakuru need to do something about it. We don’t have to always look aside when there is a bad habit. We have to take action to safeguard our environment. Less plastic is fantastic. Thank you.
The independent photojournalist and environmental activist was also nominated in the first position of the Human Rights Defender of the Year Award category (#HRDAwardKE). James Wakibia’s biggest achievement was his campaign #banplasticsKE, which fought against the use of plastic bags in Kenya.
FAQS
- Who is James Wakibia in Kenya? He is a Kenyan plastic waste advocate, photojournalist and environmental activist.
- Where is James Wakibia from? The environmental activist was born in Matweku village in Rongai Nakuru County.
- What is James Wakibia’s educational background? The famous activist graduated from Egerton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media.
- How did James Wakibia start his career? He began his activism by delivering a petition to the county government of Nakuru in 2013 demanding the relocation of the Gioto dump site.
- How has James Wakibia contributed to the ban on plastic bags in Kenya? He is well-known for organising the Twitter campaign #BanPlasticKE, which led to the ban.
Wrapping up
James Wakibia has garnered popularity as a committed plastic waste advocate in Kenya. He reminds every individual of the negative impacts that plastics have on the environment. As a result of his activism, Kenya is now free from the pollution of plastic bags and nylon papers.
[…] causes environmental degradation through its toxic by-product, brine. It is highly concentrated saltwater waste, which is usually goes back into the ocean. Brine is harmful to marine life and can degrade local […]