Government directives are known to cause panic and tension among Citizens of other Countries but definitely not in Kenya where Citizens do not comply to Government directives unless they are pushed hard and given sanctions.
Close to a year after the Kenyan government banned the manufacture and use of plastic bags in the Country, the re-emergence of the bags has been witnessed in different areas with the Western Region leading.
Plastic bags are still in circulation in most parts of western Kenya despite hefty penalties imposed by the government on individuals flouting the regulation.
Most of the plastic bags are imported into the country through porous points and are sold in backstreet markets in Busia, Bungoma, Trans-Nzoia and Uasin Gishu counties.
Traders on Monday said some unscrupulous government officials are involved in the illegal but lucrative business.
“Some government officials offer protection to brokers dealing in the sale of the banned plastic bags,” said a trader who sought anonymity.
According to the traders, the dealers have secret arrangements with suppliers who deliver the carriers at designated points.
“Some of these plastic bags are old stocks and the dealers are making frantic efforts to dispose them to avert losses,” explained another trader at Eldoret market.
The Environment ministry announced a fine of Sh50,000 for anyone found with plastic bags while manufacturers flouting the ban will be fined between Sh2 million and Sh4 million.
This comes as some fraudulent security officers and the National Authority for Campaigns against Drug Abuse administrators in the North Rift region were accused of allegedly colluding with cartels to supply illicit brews and drugs to the local market.
“Suppliers of illicit brews and drugs have adopted new strategies to dodge arrests. Some enjoy protection of corrupt government officials to defeat the war against drug abuse and consumption of illegal brews,” said Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Abdi Hassan.
Do you think the Kenyan Government can completely get rid of the plastic bag menace in the Country?