Environmental enforcement officers from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) raided a manufacturing facility in Njiru, Nairobi, on Thursday, confiscating 90,685 single‑use plastic bags that are prohibited under the national ban.

Five suspects were taken into custody, including the owner of the plant, and were booked at South B Police Station pending further action.

All five detainees were released on cash bail and are expected to appear before the Kibera Law Courts to face charges related to the illegal manufacture of banned plastic bags.

Under Section 144 of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA), anyone found manufacturing, importing, selling or using the prohibited carrier and flat plastic bags faces statutory penalties.

A conviction can attract a fine of between Ksh2 million and Ksh4 million, imprisonment of one to four years, or both, and may also result in the permanent forfeiture and destruction of the seized equipment and materials.

The raid follows earlier enforcement actions, including a September 25 operation on the Coast where five traders were arrested for possessing the same prohibited bags.

NEMA reiterated that the ban on plastic carrier and flat bags remains in force nationwide as part of its broader effort to protect the environment.

In addition to targeting illegal manufacturers, the authority continues to inspect industries that hold licences to use plastic bags for specific industrial or non‑industrial packaging purposes.