Government rules out extension of August 28 plastic ban

NAIROBI, KENYA: The government on Wednesday ruled out extension of August 28 plastic bag ban order and said it has lined up to 40 manufacturers to exhibit on alternatives packaging materials from tomorrow in Nairobi.

At a press conference, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) said it is also lobbying for tax incentives for the producers of plastic bag alternatives.

NEMA dismissed as in accurate figures from the plastic bags manufacturers on jobs likely to be lost following the August 28 ban.

“Number of jobs can only be provided by industry but we have doubts with the figures they are quoting currently. We are optimistic that the alternative bags we are proposing will create more jobs in rural areas,” the agency said.

Kenya is among the few countries that are yet to effectively ban the use of plastic bags,  however on March 14, Environment Cabinet Secretary Judi Wakhungu announced that Kenya will ban plastic bags on September 1, 2017.

Thereafter anyone found to be violating the ban will face between one and two years jail term or a fine of between Sh2 million to Sh4 million.

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Plastic ban NEMA