The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) has cautioned Kenyans against the illegal importation, production, and use of plastic bags.
In a public notice issued on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, the agency indicated concern regarding the re-emergence of banned plastic bags and packaging materials in the market. It reported that the products are being imported, produced, used, and sold in retail outlets despite the 2017 ban of all plastic bags used for commercial and household packaging in Kenya.
The Ministry of Environment had also gazetted the Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Management and Control of Plastic Packaging Materials) Regulations, 2024, on November 4, 2024. The regulations were aimed at putting in place a clear framework for the management and control of plastic packaging materials in the country.
However, manufacturers and traders have continued to defy the law, forcing NEMA to issue a fresh warning.
“Regulation 6(1) of the aforementioned regulations provides that a person shall not manufacture, import, export, possess, use or offer for sale a flat bag, plastic bag or plastic film without authorisation from the Authority,” NEMA said in part.
NEMA further clarified the law, noting that:
“In addition, regulation 2 defines a ‘plastic bag’ as a carrier bag or flat bag made from any polymer, including polyethene, polypropylene, polyethene terephthalate, that could be laminated or non-laminated, film or fabric, woven or non-woven. A person shall not sell or offer for sale plastic packaging materials in Kenya unless the name and contact details of both the user and the manufacturer are clearly printed on the material, and the authorisation of the Authority has been given,” the statement added.
The agency advised anyone seeking to manufacture, import, export, possess, use, or sell plastic bags or films that fall under this definition to apply for a licence in line with the Management and Control of Plastic Packaging Materials Regulations, 2024. Application details are available on the NEMA website at www.nema.go.ke.
NEMA also warned that anyone found producing, importing, using, selling, or possessing plastic bags without a licence will face serious consequences. Offenders risk a jail term of between one and four years, a fine of between KSh2 million and KSh4 million, or both.
The post NEMA Sounds Alarm as Banned Plastic Bags Reappear in Kenyan Markets appeared first on Bossnana.
