National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) on Thursday set the deadline for the plastic bottles ban which is set to take effect later in the year.
NEMA Board Chairman John Konchellah indicated that they gave all the stakeholders until April 30 to comply with the directive that will set the course for the ban.
He explained that the plastic bottles are a menace to the environment equating it to the plastic bags which were banned last year.
Mr Kochella further divulged that the board had consultations with various stakeholders regarding the plastic bottle ban.
[caption caption="Chairman, board of directors John Konchella and Director Gen Geoffrey Wahungu"]
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Nonetheless, he stated that some stakeholders, including Cocacola company, requested for postponement on the enactment of the ban.
In its defence, the beverage company complained that it is in the process of putting up a recycling company that will ensure all used plastic bottles are recycled.
NEMA also announced its plan to shut down markets which have not complied with the plastic ban including City Market and Ngara markets.
The authority stated they would involve police and county askaris to facilitate enforcement and the officers will arrest the suspects and also oversee the closure of the affected markets.
The Authority had recently raised alarm that their efforts to end the use of the banned bags was being hindered by illegal importation from Uganda.
[caption caption="CS Judy Wakhungu"]
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“Plastics have been banned and there is no two way. Anybody seeking to resist is performing a criminal act,” Konchella stated.
