[PHOTO/The Star]
People convicted of using banned plastic bags will pay huge fines or serve long terms in jail.
This is among the new drastic measures which the Ministry of Environment has announced in line with the Environment Manufacturers and Co-ordination Act general penalty.
The penalty provides that anyone found culpable will serve a jail term no shorter than one year or pay a fine of not less than Sh2 million.According to Environment CS Judi Wakhungu, this was part of the government's efforts to ensure the ban is fully implemented.
“We do not wish to go that route; however, that is what is provided by the Act,” said Wakhungu.
“Reducing bags use can also relieve pressure on landfills and waste management,” she said, adding that the ban would also create a good platform for local products and in turn boost the economy.
“Alternative products such as baskets will open up a new market that will boost the economy,” she said.
She was speaking on Wednesday at the United Nations head office in Nairobi.
National Environment Management Authority Director General Geoffrey Wahungu disclosed that they are working on criminal charges for the non-compliant individuals with collaboration of county governments.
“We are working towards domestication of the law for small offenders and hoping for assistance from the counties in implementing it,” said Wahungu.