The ban exempts primary food packaging materials and garbage bags.

"The exercise has been a success and we want to thank Kenyans for the support, especially from small businesses and retailers of the bags,” he said.

Prof Wahungu added that Kenyans could still use any bags they are holding to take out waste.

"Otherwise, those who feel obliged to should declare their stacks to any branch of Uchumi, Tuskys and Nakumatt supermarkets from Thursday,” he said.

"Do not throw the bags in your trash for disposal. You can either declare them through or recycle them within the home.”

Pollution

Meanwhile, fishermen in Lake Victoria welcomed the ban, describing it a major step towards fighting pollution in the lake.

"The existence of plastic bags in the lake has contributed to decreasing fish population following heavy pollution,” Lake Victoria Beach Management Unit Network Chairman Edward Oremo said.

Mr Oremo said the pollutants had clogged breeding sites and thereby affecting fish populations and movement.

Contacted for comment, western Homa Bay County environment officer John Maniafu said the county would ensure the ban is implemented to the letter.

In central tows of Nakuru and Nyandarua, national and county policewere accused of going on an extortion spree in the guise of taking action against people flouting the ban.

In Kinangop, a number of officers raided the Engineer market and arrested several women before releasing them in unclear circumstances.

"They came as I was opening my stall and demanded to search for the plastic bags.

"I had six of them holding some personal items. I was arrested and taken around the town, where some more traders were arrested,” Ms

 

Faith Nyawira said.

She said those set free had to part with between Ksh500 ($5) and Ksh1,000 ($9.69).

Similar incidents were reported at nearby Njambini and Ndaragwa markets.

In Ol Kalou, environment executive Martin Kimani warned the security officers against harassing the public or engaging in extortion.

"We have not received a Nema directive to make any arrests.

"When this is done, the operation will be conducted in a sober transparent manner and enforcement officers will have identification cards. The public should follow the law and avoid bribing any officer,” Mr Kimani said.

Jobs

In Nairobi, plastic bag retailers expressed disappointment at the decision by Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko to support the ban.

They said they had written to the governor about their plight, citing massive losses incurred.

They said the ban had resulted in the loss of 60,000 direct jobs.

"Importation, manufacture, and sale of polythene in Kenya has been in existence for 30 years.

"Immediately banning the same is not the solution since other countries in the region still use them,” they said in a statement.

Environment

However, in response, Mr Sonko said despite the inconvenience caused by the ban, Kenyans had a duty to protect and conserve the environment.

At the Coast, Nema officials in Mombasa warned they will soon start arresting people who defy the ban.

"We are alerting residents and businessmen that no one will be arrested as at now but those caught with plastics when we start the crackdown will face the law,” Mr Joseph Wambua, the county environment director, said.

In Lamu, conservationists warned that the ban will not be effective if the intended coal-fired power plant is established in the region.

In central town Nyeri, traders complained about poor business in the wake of the ban as hawkers seized the opportunity to sell recyclable bags.