NEMA arrests 12 traders, seizes 1,000 plastic bags in Makueni – KBC

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) on Friday arrested 12 people in Makueni county for using outlawed polythene bags.

The 12 were arrested in Wote town by an enforcement team from NEMA that was backed by National Police service officers.

Speaking to KNA during the exercise, Makueni County NEMA Director, Leonard Tampushi disclosed that the suspects were found with an assortment of 1,000 pieces of plastic bags.

Tampushi further revealed that most of the people arrested were found with commodities such as Miraa, Mandazi, Tobacco and soap detergents packed in the polythene bags.

Consequently, Tampushi warned the businessmen behind the supply of banned plastics polythene bags to traders that their days are numbered.

“We are going on with investigations to establish the source of plastic paper bags and we will not relent until the culprits face the law,” Tampushi warned.

He cautioned residents against allowing their commodities to be packed in plastic bags as those caught will be equally punished.

The suspects were booked at Makueni police station waiting to be arraigned.