Joyce Aliviza, a trader at Top Market in Nakuru Town in Kenya, packages
omena (sardines) in a khaki paper bag on August, 29, 2017 after the
plastic bags ban came into effect. PHOTO | AYUB MUIYURO | NATION MEDIA
GROUP
Employees of plastic bag manufacturers on Tuesday took to the
streets to protest the closure of their factories, as the country’s
environmental watchdog welcomed Kenyans’ support following the ban on
plastics.
The workers complained that they had been
rendered jobless without proper procedures being followed about the ban
and appealed to the government to intervene.
Their
procession snaked its way from Nairobi's Industrial Area, where most of
the companies are located, to the National Environment Management
Authority (Nema) headquarters on Popo Road.
Most of the factories closed shop on Monday when the ban took effect.
It is estimated that about 700,000 employees are directly employed by the polythene bag manufacturers around the country.
Those found selling or using plastic bags are liable for up to four years in prison and fines of up to Ksh4 million ($38,759).
The government has justified the move by saying many of the
estimated 300 million plastic bags used in Kenya every year are thrown
away in an environmentally unfriendly manner and take centuries to
biodegrade.
Good will
Nema Director-General Geoffrey Wahungu said support for the ban had gone beyond their expectation.
The ban exempts primary food packaging materials and garbage bags.
“The
exercise has been a success and we want to thank Kenyans for the
support, especially from small businesses and retailers of the bags,” he
said.
Prof Wahungu added that Kenyans could still use any bags they are holding to take out waste.
“Otherwise,
those who feel obliged to should declare their stacks to any branch of
Uchumi, Tuskys and Nakumatt supermarkets from Thursday,” he said.
“Do not throw the bags in your trash for disposal. You can either declare them through or recycle them within the home.”
Pollution
Meanwhile, fishermen in Lake Victoria welcomed the ban, describing it a major step towards fighting pollution in the lake.
“The
existence of plastic bags in the lake has contributed to decreasing
fish population following heavy pollution,” Lake Victoria Beach
Management Unit Network Chairman Edward Oremo said.
Mr Oremo said the pollutants had clogged breeding sites and thereby affecting fish populations and movement.
Contacted
for comment, western Homa Bay County environment officer John Maniafu
said the county would ensure the ban is implemented to the letter.
In central tows of Nakuru and Nyandarua, national and county policewere accused of going on an extortion spree in the guise of taking action against people flouting the ban.
In
Kinangop, a number of officers raided the Engineer market and arrested
several women before releasing them in unclear circumstances.
“They came as I was opening my stall and demanded to search for the plastic bags.
"I
had six of them holding some personal items. I was arrested and taken
around the town, where some more traders were arrested,” Ms Faith
Nyawira said.
She said those set free had to part with between Ksh500 ($5) and Ksh1,000 ($9.69).
Similar incidents were reported at nearby Njambini and Ndaragwa markets.
In
Ol Kalou, environment executive Martin Kimani warned the security
officers against harassing the public or engaging in extortion.
“We have not received a Nema directive to make any arrests.
"When
this is done, the operation will be conducted in a sober transparent
manner and enforcement officers will have identification cards. The
public should follow the law and avoid bribing any officer,” Mr Kimani
said.
Jobs
In Nairobi, plastic bag retailers expressed disappointment at the decision by Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko to support the ban.
They said they had written to the governor about their plight, citing massive losses incurred.
They said the ban had resulted in the loss of 60,000 direct jobs.
“Importation, manufacture, and sale of polythene in Kenya has been in existence for 30 years.
"Immediately banning the same is not the solution since other countries in the region still use them,” they said in a statement.
Environment
However,
in response, Mr Sonko said despite the inconvenience caused by the ban,
Kenyans had a duty to protect and conserve the environment.
At the Coast, Nema officials in Mombasa warned they will soon start arresting people who defy the ban.
“We
are alerting residents and businessmen that no one will be arrested as
at now but those caught with plastics when we start the crackdown will
face the law,” Mr Joseph Wambua, the county environment director, said.
In
Lamu, conservationists warned that the ban will not be effective if the
intended coal-fired power plant is established in the region.
In
central town Nyeri, traders complained about poor business in the wake
of the ban as hawkers seized the opportunity to sell recyclable bags.
Pauline
Kairu, Kalume Kazungu, Lilian Mutavi, Gitonga Marete, Vivian Jebet,
Waikwa Maina, Hilda Anyango, Peter Mburu, Magdalene Wanja, Faith Nyamai
and Barrack Odour
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