20 individuals found in violation of environmental regulations were arrested in Wote town. The arrests were made under the Kenyan Environment Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) (Cap 387), which mandates the conduct of Environment Assessment Audits.
The joint operation by the police and officers from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) targeted businesses operating without the necessary Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) licenses.
During the crackdown, enforcement officers also enforced a ban on plastic usage and apprehended three individuals using papers for packaging and selling muguka.
Operating a business without an EIA license could result in fines ranging from Ksh 2-4 million or imprisonment for 2 to 4 years. Facilities operating without effluent discharge licenses could also face fines of sh 500,000 or imprisonment for the same duration.
Many of the arrested individuals had been served with compliance orders since October of the previous year but had failed to adhere to them. The individuals arrested were released on cash bail and are scheduled to appear in court for arraignment next Wednesday.
