Barely a fortnight after the government banned plastic bags in Kenya, four people have been arrested for being in their possession.
The four are facing up to four years imprisonment or a fine of usd40,000 (Ksh.4 million).
The suspects, Osman Khalid , Hirbo Goso, Jackline Otieno, and Jeremiah Ngugi were arrested by NEMA officials in Marsabit town on Friday.
It took Kenya three attempts in a span of over 10 years to finally pass the ban which went into effect on August 28th, 2017.
Kenya’s law allows police to go after anyone even carrying a plastic bag. But Judy Wakhungu, Kenya’s environment minister, had earlier said enforcement would initially be directed at manufacturers and suppliers.
The ban has affected both traders and consumers, with women who sell vegetables in the market reverting to traditional ways of packaging their products. Some have started using banana leaves for wrapping and handmade shopping bags.
By Jamhuri News Reporter