Environment Cabinet Secretary Judi Wakhungu has clarified that the Sh4 Million fine imposed on those found in possession of plastic bags will initially spare ordinary citizens.
In a special report published by Reuters, Prof. Wakhungu explained that the penalties will initially target manufacturers and suppliers of the outlawed plastic bags.
"Ordinary wananchi (citizens) will not be harmed," the CS clarified.
The new environment law which attracts a Sh4 Million fine has been described as one of the toughest in the world so far.
The implementation of the law kicked off on Monday with a collaborative operation between the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the police to ensure the ban was adhered to nationwide.
Various officers were deployed countrywide to ensure that the plastic bags were not available for sale at the counter or given freely outside industrial settings.
NEMA noted that eight teams had been deployed to kick start the operation in Nairobi with the full implementation of the plastics ban scheduled to begin on Tuesday.
Read More: Details of Officers Arresting Kenyans With Plastic Bags
Kenya has joined more than 40 other countries which have banned, partly banned or taxed single use plastic bags, including China, France, Rwanda, and Italy.
