Eight Traders Arrested for Possessing Banned Plastic Bags in Machakos
Machakos County authorities have intensified efforts to curb the re-emergence of banned plastic bags, leading to the arrest of eight traders at Kyumbi Town in Athi River subcounty. The crackdown, which took place on Thursday, was a collaborative effort between the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), the Machakos County Government, and local police officers.
NEMA’s head of operations, Shieni Koiyet, stated that the operation was necessary after the agency noticed a resurgence of outlawed plastic bags in the market.
“The operation was about plastic bags since the Authority has realized that banned plastic bags are coming back to the market. We wanted to check on compliance in Machakos,” Koiyet explained.
During the swoop, authorities seized approximately 1,000 pieces of banned flat bags and black carrier bags commonly used for packaging muguka. The arrested traders were taken to Kyumbi Police Station and are expected to be arraigned at Mavoko Law Courts on Friday.
Koiyet emphasized the harmful environmental impact of plastic bags, citing their role in blocking drainage systems, creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes, harming animals, and contributing to human health risks due to microplastics.
“We remind the public that they shouldn’t use them. The traders fail to reveal sources of the banned polythene bags. But, we are working hard to arrest the suppliers and manufacturers. Traders fail to tell us where they get the outlawed polythene bags from whenever they are arrested. We are using intelligence to know whether there are local manufacturers in the country,” Koiyet added.
He noted that some of the banned plastic bags are smuggled into Kenya from countries where they are still legal. The operation in Machakos is part of a larger nationwide effort to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and deter the use of plastic bags.
Koiyet warned traders against stocking or selling banned plastic bags, stressing that enforcement actions would continue across different counties. The arrests serve as a stark reminder that authorities remain vigilant in their fight against environmental pollution caused by plastics.
The public is urged to report any cases of illegal plastic bag distribution to help NEMA and other enforcement agencies in their efforts to uphold the ban. As Kenya continues to champion environmental conservation, adherence to regulations on plastic waste remains a top priority in ensuring sustainable environmental practices.
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Eight Traders Arrested for Possessing Banned Plastic Bags in Machakos