The Environment Ministry has issued a clarification noting that the plastic bag ban which takes effect next week will not immediately affect garbage bags and those used in packaging chemicals.
Environment Principal Secretary Charles Sunkuli explained that the ministry will not retreat in the ban but clarified that it isn’t a total ban.
"This ban will not be postponed. We as a Ministry are ready to effect the ban,” Sunkuli stated.
“Waste bin liners, primary food packaging are some of the plastics falling in the exempt category," he added.
The PS noted that requisite measures have been put in place to deal with those who go against the plastic ban law.
He highlighted that the ban was informed by the Constitution that states every Kenyan has a right to live in a clean environment.
The ban on the use of plastic bags for both domestic and commercial use was announced through a Gazette Notice in February.
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) warned that those violating the ban risked Sh4 Million fine or a two-year jail term
Manufacturers, however, argued that the move would lead to the loss of about 60,000 jobs directly and another 400,000 indirectly.
The government, however, disputed the figure stating there were measures in place to protect against job loss.
