NEMA Arrests Several Traders in Fresh Crackdown, Issues Warning

Jukwaa

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The arrests were made during a multi-sector operation conducted by NEMA officers in the Coast region as part of a nationwide crackdown on plastic bags prohibited under the law.

The authority on Friday, September 25, said the operation targeted traders dealing in the banned bags, with five individuals taken into custody after officers found them in possession of the prohibited plastic products.

NEMA also inspected industries that have been licensed to use plastic bags for industrial and non-industrial packaging purposes as part of the enforcement exercise.

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Facilities found not to be compliant with the requirements were ordered to regularise their operations by applying for the relevant licence through NEMA's licensing portal.

The inspections come as the environmental regulator continues to enforce the restrictions on plastic carriers and flat bags, while allowing licensed exceptions for specified uses.

NEMA warned that manufacturing, importing, exporting, using, selling, offering for sale or possessing plastic carrier or flat bags without a licence is an offence punishable by a fine of between Ksh2 million and Ksh4 million, imprisonment for between one and four years, or both.

NEMA said the enforcement will continue across the country and cautioned members of the public against dealing in plastic carriers and flat bags outside the permitted licensing framework.

“It is notified to the public that any person who manufactures, imports, exports, uses, sells, offers for sale or possesses plastic carrier bags or plastic flat bags without a licence commits an offence,” NEMA stated.

Section 144 of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) Cap 387 provides for penalties against people who manufacture, import, export, use or sell plastic carrier or flat bags without a licence.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke

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