Busia:The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), working with a multi-agency team, has initiated a crackdown on the use of banned plastic bags in Busia County, resulting in the arrest of over ten individuals.
According to Kenya News Agency, Busia County NEMA Director Cliff Barkach stated that the operation would be expanded throughout the county to enforce the existing ban.
Barkach explained that the law permits the use of plastic bags for certain products like medicine, sugar, bread, and cakes, where packaging requirements may justify their use. He urged traders to consider alternative packaging options.
He emphasized the environmental and health dangers posed by plastic bags, which decompose into microplastics, contaminating water sources and potentially causing health issues. The bags also block drainage systems, which could lead to flooding during the upcoming rainy season, posing a significant risk to residents.
The persistent use of plastic bags in Busia is partly due to cross-border trade with Uganda, where their use remains legal. Barkach noted that this complicates efforts to curb their usage in Busia but expressed hope that coordinated efforts across various sectors would address the challenge.
Barkach warned that those violating the ban would face legal consequences, including fines or imprisonment, and encouraged the public to proactively adhere to the ban rather than wait for enforcement action.
