The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has expressed concern over the rise in manufacture, importation, sale and use of plastic bags.
In a public notice dated September 8, 2025, NEMA noted that re-emergence of the plastic bags is against a gazette notice No. 2356, issued on 28th February 2017, that banned the use, manufacture and importation of all plastic bags used for commercial and household packaging.
NEMA also advised against the use of the polythene bags without an authorized license, adding that violators risk a one-year jail term or a fine of up to Ksh 4 million. However, the environmental regulator maintained that those seeking approval must submit an application to the Authority through an official portal.
“Members of the public are further advised that any person who manufactures, imports, exports, uses, sells, offers for sale or possesses plastic carrier bags or plastic flat bags without a license commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a jail term of not less than one year but not more than four years or to a fine of not less than two million shillings but not more than four million shillings or both such fine and imprisonment,” NEMA’s statement read in part.
“Those seeking approval must apply through the Authority’s official portal, with applications subject to strict compliance checks,” NEMA added.
The authority further stated that it has launched a crackdown on illegal use of plastic carrier bags to ensure compliance with the law.
While assuring the public of its commitment to ensure clean, healthy and safe environment for all, the agency called on the public report cases of illegal use or trade in banned plastics.
