The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), in collaboration with a multi-agency team, has launched a crackdown on the use of banned plastic bags in Busia County, leading to the arrest of more than 10 people.
Speaking to the Kenya News Agency, Busia County NEMA Director Cliff Barkach said the operation would be extended across the county to enforce the ban.
“We have started this crackdown to ensure that all those using these plastic bags are arrested. We have managed to arrest more than 10 people who are currently being held at Busia Central Police Station. We are going to all parts of this county to ensure these bags are not in use,” he said.
Barkach said the law provides for licenses allowing the use of plastic bags for specific commodities, including medicine, sugar, bread and cakes, where packaging requirements may necessitate their use. He encouraged traders to seek alternative packaging.
He warned that plastic bags pose serious environmental and public health risks, particularly when they break down into microplastics
“Plastic bags are harmful to the environment. When they decompose into microplastics, they pollute our water, and this becomes harmful to our health. They are also blocking the drainages, and as the county expects the long rains, this might cause flooding, risking many lives,” he said.
He attributed the continued use of plastic bags in Busia partly to cross-border trade with neighbouring Uganda, where their use is permitted.
“We are bordering Uganda, where use of these bags is allowed. Many of our people engage daily in business activities in Uganda. This has remained the main challenge in dealing with this issue, but we are hopeful that with the effort from several sectors, we will manage to handle it,” he said.
Barkach cautioned traders and members of the public against violating the ban, warning that offenders would face legal action, including fines or imprisonment.
“We need to avoid the use of these bags because when we arrest you, you will have to be taken to court and will be fined or jailed. Let’s not wait for officers from NEMA or the police to enforce the ban; let’s take it as a personal initiative,” he said.
by Salome Alwanda / Rodgers Omondi
