Authorities have arrested five suspects, including the owner of a manufacturing facility in Njiru, Nairobi, where the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) seized 90,685 single-use banned plastic bags.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

NEMA said its enforcement officers raided the facility after establishing that it was manufacturing the banned plastic bags.

The five suspects, including the owner of the plant, were arrested and booked at South B Police Station pending further action.

The latest arrests and seizures come as NEMA continues to enforce the plastic bag ban and warn members of the public about the legal consequences of manufacturing, selling or using the prohibited products.

📌 What You Need to Know

NEMA said the five suspects were released on cash bail and are expected to appear before the Kibera Law Courts to face charges.

The authority has previously reiterated that the ban on plastic carrier and flat bags remains in force across the country as part of efforts to protect the environment.

Under Section 144 of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA), anyone found manufacturing, importing , selling or using the banned plastics is liable to statutory penalties.

NEMA said a conviction attracts a fine of between Ksh2 million and Ksh4 million, imprisonment for between one and four years, or both.

The seized manufacturing equipment and materials may also be permanently forfeited and destroyed.

The arrests in Njiru come days after NEMA arrested five traders in the Coast region for allegedly possessing banned plastic carrier and flat bags.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke