The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) in conjunction with police from Kyumbi in Machakos has arrested eight traders for use of banned plastic bags.
The traders who were found using the banned plastic bags in Kyumbi/Makutano market were taken to Kyumbi Police Station, as they await their arraignment at Mavoko Law Court on Friday.
Shien Koyiet from the NEMA Enforcement Department in Nairobi, while speaking to the media at the Police Station, said that through a joint inspection with Machakos team, they managed to ambush the traders with 1,000 banned plastic bags.
He noted that the bags had been banned from 2017 and as of now everyone should be aware and keep off from the banned plastics that are causing harm to the environment or risk arrest and persecution.
Koyiet added that through credible intelligence, they are on course to find out where the manufacturers and suppliers are located since the traders, when grilled, refused to divulge their supplier’s whereabouts.
“We are warning the traders that we will not relent in enforcing the ban on plastic bags because of the negative impact of plastics, especially during this rainy season where plastics tend to accumulate and cause flooding,” said Koyiet.
Patrick Lekenit, the NEMA Regional Director, Eastern Region, reiterated that the operation was a success and hailed the collaboration of multi-agency teams from the National Police Service (NPS), NEMA Police unit and NEMA from Machakos.
Lekenit disclosed that the number of banned plastic bags has been going down over years after the declaration of the ban in 2017 and the bags that are circulating are mostly from neighbouring countries where plastic bags have not been banned yet.
“The ban should have taken effect from 2017 but has been hindered by cross-border trade, where 80 percent of plastic bags are coming from,” added Lekenit.
He gave a stern warning to the traders and Machakos residents against the use of plastic bags yet the government has ensured there are alternative bags that are environmentally friendly and readily available.
He also called upon stakeholders and the public to share information on the whereabouts of suppliers and manufacturers by calling the NEMA hotline, where they will be assured of confidentiality.
By Anne Kangero
