Editor's Review

Five traders have been arrested in the Coast region as the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) intensified enforcement of the ban on plastic carrier and flat bags.

Five traders have been arrested in the Coast region as the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) intensified enforcement of the ban on plastic carrier and flat bags.

In a statement on Friday, September 25, the authority said the arrests followed a multi-sector operation conducted by NEMA officers.

"NEMA has continued to enforce the ban on plastic carrier and flat bags countrywide. In line with the Environmental Management and Coordination (Management and Control of Plastic Packaging Materials) Regulations, 2024, the Authority conducted a multi-sector operation in the Coast region to enforce the ban where 5 traders were arrested in possession of the banned bags," the statement read.

During the operation, NEMA officers also inspected industries that had been licensed to use plastic bags for industrial and non-industrial packaging. 

According to the authority, facilities found to be operating outside the licensing requirements were directed to regularise their operations.

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"The officers also inspected industries that have been licensed to use the plastic bags for industrial and non-industrial packaging purposes. Non-compliant facilities were ordered to comply by applying for the license through the NEMA licensing portal," the statement added.

NEMA further warned members of the public against engaging in activities involving banned plastic carrier and flat bags without the required licence, noting that such activities amount to an offence under environmental laws.

"NEMA cautions members of the public against manufacturing, importing, exporting, using, selling, offering for sale or possession of plastic carrier bags or plastic flat bags without a license is an offence," the statement further read.

File image of a factory manufacturing plastic bags

NEMA also highlighted the penalties for violating the plastic bag ban are provided for under the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) Cap 387.

"Section 144 of Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) Cap 387 provides that any person who manufactures, imports, exports, uses, sells plastic carrier or flat bags without a licence commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable for a term not less than one year but not more than four years or to a fine of not less than two million shillings but not more than four million shillings or both such fine and imprisonment," the statement concluded.

Elsewhere, NEMA, in collaboration with the Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade), has announced changes to the processing of NEMA Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) permits.

In a notice Thursday, September 24, the authority said the new system will affect importers, clearing agents and other stakeholders using the Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP), with the changes taking effect on September 28, 2026.

"The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in collaboration with the Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade) wishes to inform the general public, importers, clearing agents, and all relevant stakeholders that the PIN Opting process for NEMA Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) permits on the Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP) has been fully automated effective from 28th September, 2026," the notice read.

According to NEMA, the automation will enable importers to have their Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) PINs opted in directly when applying for NEMA EPR certificates through the Single Window System.

"Under this enhanced automated workflow, importers can seamlessly have their Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) PINs for NEMA EPR certificate applications opted in directly via Single Window System (Trade Facilitation Platform), completely eliminating the need for opting in by officers," the notice added.

NEMA said the changes were designed to improve the efficiency of EPR permit applications while making the service available to users around the clock.

"This enhancement is intended to result in: Fast, seamless and efficient EPR Application and Processing 24/7 Service Availability, elimination of manual intervention, enhanced user experience and improved operational efficiency," the notice further read.