KOT slam NEMA after hawkers arrested with banned plastic bags face Ksh.2M fine

KOT slam NEMA after hawkers arrested with banned plastic bags face Ksh.2M fine

Kenyans have gone up in arms after 3 traders were arrested in Nairobi hawking their wares using the banned plastic bags.

The hawkers were set to be arraigned in court on Tuesday after an operation that the National Environment Management Authority of Kenya (NEMA) said recovered 500 bags.

The authority further noted the threesome now faces a fine of KSh.2 to KSh.4M or a jail term of between 1 and 4 years.

The arrests attracted the ire of Kenyans with a majority accusing the authority of double standards:

See some reactions below:

— Samantha (@Rchesoni) February 18, 2020

— Calvo (@caldeony) February 18, 2020

— lukhale joab makinda (@jolumayobi) February 18, 2020

— Mkenya krykogudsovaggen (@PTaabu) February 18, 2020

— Litter-Free Kenya (@LitterFreeKenya) February 18, 2020

— Andrew (@AnotherKenya) February 18, 2020

— Barnabas (@BKiplimo) February 18, 2020

— Giitwa Gichuki (@Giitwa_Gichuki) February 18, 2020

— ELISHA OKODE (@elisha_okode) February 18, 2020

— Hic sunt dracones (@EMungau) February 18, 2020

— Freddy Kituar (@FredKituar) February 18, 2020

Kenya banned the use, manufacture and sale of environmentally harmful plastics, polythene bags and packaging materials through a Gazette Notice dated March 14, 2017

The plastic paper bags were categorised as the leading cause of poor drainage and environmental degradation.

And on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a ban on the use of single-use plastics in protected areas in the country effective June 5, 2020.

President Kenyatta who was speaking when he addressed the plenary session of the ongoing Women Deliver 2019 Conference in Canada, said that the ban will cover all national parks, forests, beaches and conservation areas.

Tags:

NEMA plastic bags in kenya

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