Three business People in Chwele market in Bungoma County have been arrested by Bungoma County National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) officers in possession of banned plastic bags.
Confirming the incident, Bungoma County NEMA Director Kipkoech Rop said one was a shopkeeper and two were fruit vendors who had already packaged their products ready for sale. He said the three will be arraigned in court to face charges, adding that some business people have ignored the ban without thinking of the penalties. “Some vendors sell products that are less than one thousand shillings yet the penalty for being found in possession of plastic bags is a fine of not less than two million shillings or not more than four million or be imprisonment,” he said.
He disclosed that they’ll continue with their operation in all the markets to ensure they phase out the plastic bags saying it is the only way to help conserve the environment as the plastic bags have negative effects.
