Kisii County Assembly on Tuesday approved a motion that will compel major supermarkets operating in the county to offer free shopping bags to consumers for every purchase.
Members of the County Assembly questioned why the supermarkets that previously provided shopping bags for free before the ban, had decided to suddenly pass the cost to the consumer.
"It was the responsibility of supermarkets to pack goods bought, at their cost. I will organize and mobilize locals to boycott buying goods at the major outlets if they fail to implement the proposed law," said Mr John Ombati, Bomorenda ward representative.
However, a section of the MCAs opposed the motion saying it will pull down businesses.
Nominated MCA Eric Janganya opposed the move on grounds that businesses will be crippled if forced to be charitable.
He argued that it was not the responsibility of supermarkets to offer carrier bags since they are not the direct manufacturer of these products.
Mr Janganya claimed that the goods are already packaged, and it was up to the consumer to plan for how to carry the items.
Janganya added that several youths had ventured into the shopping bag packaging supply business and the move to have them given for free may paralyze that venture.
He was supported by Sensi MCA Paul Angwenyi who said the move to provide the bags for free will in the long term negatively affect economic growth in the county.
Kisii County will become the second county after Uasin Gishu to force supermarkets to provide alternative free carrier bags following the ban on plastic bags.