Editor's Review

Failure to which, NEMA has vowed to take action including shutting down markets and prosecuting traders.

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has threatened to shut down all county markets in the country due to non-compliance.

In a notice released on Friday, March 1, NEMA indicated that the 47 Governors had failed to enforce measures curbing the use of plastic bags in the county markets.

"The Authority has been working with County market managers, where they have been asked to ensure that no one uses the banned bags within their markets but rather use eco-friendly/biodegradable bags," the notice read in part.

"However, Nema has noted with concern continued use of the illegal bags within various County markets and businesses licensed by Counties," it added.

File image of NEMA officials at a market. PHOTO | COURTESY

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Following the blatant disregard of the law, NEMA has escalated the matter to the Council of Governors led by Kirinyaga County boss Anne Waiguru.

Failure to which, NEMA has vowed to take action including shutting down markets where traders are using banned plastic bags.

"NEMA has already written to the Council of Governors to warn Counties that enforcement action will be taken against the use of banned plastic bags. It is ironical that market managers cannot allow the sale of banned items such as bhang and other drugs, but are condoning the use of banned plastic bags," the authority announced.

"NEMA will be taking enforcement action on market managers who condone the use of the banned bags and further close the markets where this crime is committed as provided for under Section 145 of Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA), 1999."

According to the notice, traders using the banned plastic bags will also be prosecuted.