This archive report was first published on 6 July 2019.
On Friday morning, officers from the National Environment Management Agency (Nema) and the police conducted a crackdown on people using banned polythene carrier bags in Kimilili, Bungoma County.
During the operation, a middle-aged man suspected of being mentally ill was arrested with Sh275,000 in cash and 1,500 pieces of banned plastic bags.
The suspect will be taken to court once officers finalize investigations into the incident, according to Kimilili Sub-County Deputy Commissioner Joyce Onguso.
Officers are trying to establish how the suspect acquired the money and plastic carrier bags, Onguso said.
Kenya banned plastic bags on February 28th, 2017, to curb environmental pollution, and Bungoma lead environment officer Rob Kipkoech alleged that the plastic bags are sneaked into the country from neighboring Uganda.
The suspect is being held at a Bungoma police post.
