The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has intensified its crackdown on banned plastic carrier bags in Busia County, arresting more than 10 suspects during a multi-agency operation aimed at enforcing Kenya’s plastic bag ban.
According to the Kenya News Agency (KNA), the operation began on October 17 as environmental authorities stepped up efforts to curb the circulation and use of prohibited plastic bags.
Busia County NEMA Director Cliff Barkatch said the operation would be extended to all parts of the county to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
“We have started this crackdown to ensure that all those using these plastic bags are arrested,” Barkatch said, adding that more than 10 suspects had been arrested and were 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.
Barkatch warned that banned plastic bags pose serious environmental and public health risks, particularly when they break down into microplastics that can contaminate water and other parts of the environment.
“When they decompose into microplastics, they pollute our water, and this becomes harmful to our health. They are also blocking the drainages,” he said.
He further cautioned that blocked drainage systems could worsen flooding as the rainy season approaches, putting lives and property at risk.
Kenya banned the manufacture, importation and use of plastic carrier bags in August 2017 as part of efforts to combat pollution and protect the environment. However, prohibited bags continue to circulate in some areas, raising concerns about compliance and the effectiveness of enforcement measures.
Busia’s location along the Kenya-Uganda border presents additional enforcement challenges, as cross-border trade can create opportunities for the illegal movement of prohibited products. Cooperation among environmental authorities, police and other enforcement agencies is therefore important in addressing the problem.
The latest operation follows a similar crackdown in Njiru, Nairobi, on October 7, during which NEMA officials reportedly seized 90,695 banned single-use plastic bags from an illegal manufacturing facility. Five suspects, including the facility’s owner, were arrested and later released on cash bail pending court proceedings.
Plastic bags can persist in the environment for extended periods when improperly disposed of. They can clog drainage channels, contribute to flooding, harm animals and contaminate natural habitats.
Authorities continue to urge traders and consumers to comply with the ban by avoiding prohibited plastic carrier bags and embracing reusable alternatives. Businesses using plastic packaging for permitted purposes must comply with applicable environmental regulations and obtain the necessary approvals where required.
Public awareness and responsible waste management are also essential in reducing plastic pollution. County governments, traders, manufacturers and environmental organisations all have a role to play in strengthening enforcement, promoting responsible disposal and supporting sustainable alternatives.
As the Busia crackdown continues, the effectiveness of sustained enforcement will be measured by whether it reduces the circulation of banned plastic bags, improves compliance and helps protect the environment and public health.
