The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has arrested two traders in Embu town after they were found in possession of 4,995 banned plastic carrier bags. The suspects have since been taken to court to face charges as the authority intensifies efforts to enforce Kenya’s plastic bag ban.
According to NEMA, the arrests were made during an enforcement operation targeting individuals dealing in prohibited plastic carrier bags. The authority announced the development in a statement shared on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
The two traders were subsequently arraigned in court to answer charges related to possession of the banned plastic bags.
The arrests have prompted NEMA to issue a fresh warning to traders and members of the public, reminding them that dealing in prohibited plastic carrier bags without the required licence is an offence under Kenyan law.
NEMA Warns of KSh 4 Million Fine
Following the arrests, NEMA cautioned Kenyans against manufacturing, importing, exporting, using or selling plastic carrier and flat bags without a licence.
The authority cited Section 144 of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA), alongside the Environmental Management and Coordination (Management and Control of Plastic Packaging Materials) Regulations, 2024.
Under these provisions, anyone convicted of the prohibited activities faces a fine ranging from KSh 2 million to KSh 4 million, imprisonment for between one and four years, or both.
The penalties apply to individuals found engaging in the prohibited activities without the required authorisation. NEMA has urged traders to comply with the regulations to avoid prosecution.
The authority’s warning also serves as a reminder that the restrictions are not limited to manufacturers and importers but extend to other prohibited activities involving plastic carrier and flat bags.
Kenya’s Plastic Bag Ban
Kenya introduced a nationwide ban on plastic carrier bags in August 2017 as part of efforts to reduce plastic pollution and improve waste management.
The restrictions targeted the manufacture, importation, sale and use of plastic carrier bags, which had become a major environmental concern due to poor disposal and their impact on drainage systems and natural habitats.
The 2024 regulations further strengthened the legal framework governing plastic packaging materials, including licensing requirements for activities involving plastic carrier and flat bags.
Despite the restrictions, enforcement operations continue to uncover cases involving prohibited plastic bags. NEMA has maintained that it will continue monitoring compliance and taking action against those found violating environmental regulations.
NEMA Encourages Use of Alternative Bags
The authority has encouraged Kenyans to embrace environmentally friendly alternatives when shopping and packaging goods.
Options such as reusable cloth bags, sisal bags and approved paper bags can help reduce reliance on prohibited plastic carrier bags.
The latest arrests in Embu highlight the continued enforcement of Kenya’s environmental laws, with NEMA warning that individuals and businesses found dealing in banned plastic bags without the necessary licence risk serious legal consequences.
Members of the public and traders have therefore been urged to familiarise themselves with the regulations and ensure their activities comply with the law.
