Watch out for fake enforcers of plastic ban, Nema warns

Sugarcane traders use plastic bags to pack the pieces. Photo | Kevin Odit | NMG

What you need to know:

  • Agency says impersonators have been threatening Murang’a residents who decline to cough bribes with arrest.
  • Nema officials, working with the police, have arrested two of the impersonators and have taken them to court.
  • The authority however says it has embarked on a major crackdown on plastic users.

Members of the public have been asked to watch out for 'fake’ State officials demanding money from those found with plastic bags.

According to National Environment Management Authority (Nema) director, Mr Ezra Ng’ang’a, the impersonators have been threatening Murang’a County residents who decline to cough bribes with arrest.

“Most of the residents who fear being taken to court for the hefty fines fall for the extortionists’ threats and cash out to the con men,” Mr Ng’ang’a said today.

Nema officials, while working with the police, have arrested two of the impersonators and are warning that those found culpable will face the law.

Mr Ng’ang’a is urging members of public to demand badges from anyone purporting to work with Nema, noting that any officer from from the environmental agency must be accompanied by the police officer.

Crackdown

At the same time, the director also cautioned traders and shopkeepers that the period set out for the awareness campaign had lapsed and that arrests of those contravening the law had began.

The authority says it has embarked on a major crackdown on plastic users and has been arresting offenders.

“We shall enhance the crackdown to ensure that our environment remains clean and those participating in polluting it faces the law,” Mr Ng’ang’a said, adding that two traders had been arrested and charged at a Murang’a court after they were found selling plastic bags.

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