The plastic bags that have been banned in Kenya by the National environmental management authority (NEMA).[Photo/allafrica.com]
The high court will on Friday 13 give its verdict on the application of whether a three bench judge will be set to hear the suit filed by various groups challenging the legal notice on the banning of plastics.
The groups which include plastic bags manufactures, importers and activist Okiya Omtatah, sued the National environmental management Authority (NEMA) for issuing a gazette notice on the plastic ban which they argue it was illegal as it had not been presented before parliament as required by the law.
It will be remembered that on the Monday of August 28, Kenya banned the use of plastics joining the other 40 countries in the world that have outlawed plastic usage.
NEMA also imposed huge fines that include four years imprisonment or fine of four million shillings or both for those found manufacturing ,selling or in possession of the banned plastics.
Initially, environment and Land Court judge Bernard Mweresa Eboso declined to give temporary orders suspending the gazette notice saying that the public interest is in favour of the ban.
However the NEMA and the Attorney General have supported the gazette notice.