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NEMA seizes 90,695 banned plastic bags in Njiru factory raid
Five people, including the owner, were arrested at a facility making banned bags in Nairobi. NEMA calls it part of a nationwide crackdown on making, selling and using them.
Plastics90,695
banned plastic bags seized at a factory in Njiru, Nairobi
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) raided a facility in Njiru, Nairobi, where it says banned plastic bags were being made, and seized 90,695 single-use carrier and flat bags. Five people, including the owner, were arrested, booked at South B police station and released on cash bail ahead of arraignment at Kibera Law Courts, People Daily reported on 8 October.
NEMA describes the raid as part of an intensified nationwide crackdown on the manufacture, distribution and use of banned plastic carrier and flat bags. On 25 September it arrested five traders in a similar operation at the Coast.
What the law says
Kenya banned plastic carrier bags and some flat bags in 2017. Announcing the Coast operation, NEMA said that making, importing, selling or possessing plastic carrier or flat bags without a licence is punishable by a fine of Ksh 2 million to Ksh 4 million, one to four years in prison, or both.
It also said it was inspecting licensed factories to check their packaging, and ordering any that were out of line to put their licences in order.
Why it matters
- The crackdown reaches past shops: factories, distributors and anyone holding stock of banned bags.
- Packaging that is allowed still needs the right licence, and NEMA says it is inspecting licensed factories too.
- Raids have now been reported in Nairobi and at the Coast within two weeks of each other.
Sources
- People Daily - NEMA apprehends 5 in Nairobi plastic bag crackdown · 8 October 2026
- Kenyans.co.ke - NEMA arrests 5 traders in Coast crackdown on banned plastic bags · 25 September 2026
