The Ministry of Environment estimates that the success rate of plastic carrier bags ban effected six months ago stands at 80 percent.
This is despite stiff opposition from manufacturers and industry lobbies against the ban effected August 28 last year.Environment Principal Secretary Charles Sunkuli says this follows support from members of the public, stakeholders’ engagement and incentives to plastic bags transporters.“Several airlines have continued to announce to their passengers that Kenya is a plastic-free country, a move which has boosted our implementation strategies,” said Sunkuli during a media briefing, adding that this helps create awareness against importing them into the country.The ban affected the use, manufacture, and importation of all plastic bags used for commercial and household packaging. The CS noted that the success rate was based on curtailed production, supply in supermarkets and other retail sector and reduced disposal in the environment.United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimated that before the ban, supermarkets in the country were handing out over 100 million plastic bags annually. It further notes that plastics bags are estimated to contribute some eight million tonnes of plastic waste that leak into the ocean floor annually.“We cannot use statistics of those charged and prosecuted due to use of plastic bags to measure successful implementation, but through the above parameters,” he said.Although successful, Sunkuli said the banned plastic carrier bags were still in circulation and used by small-scale traders. “Small-scale traders especially those dealing in fast foods, fruits, juices among other perishable goods across the country are still using them,” he said.Sunkuli revealed that the products were coming from neighboring countries that have not banned plastic and vowed to crack the whip on rogue traders.“We are working closely with Customs Services Department to nab those traders and investors sneaking the products in the country,” he added.National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) director-general Geoffrey Wakhungu had earlier warned traders in various markets in Nairobi against flouting the ban.