Fly 540 Africa

Kenya joins over 40 countries that have made plastic bags illegal, in a positive effort to reduce the impact on our environment. However, there may be implications for our guests traveling to this region, as the use, manufacture and importation of all plastic bags is now illegal in Kenya.

The ban applies to:

• Carrier bags with handles & with or without gussets.
• Flat bags without handles & without gussets.

Please take note that if you are traveling to Nairobi, plastic bags that match the above description, including duty free bags, will be confiscated at the airport. There is however a bigger risk that if anyone is caught using these plastic bags the fine is Ksh. 4,000,000 approximately US$38,000 or prison sentences of up to four years.

It is our opinion that with immediate effect we advise our guests and our own teams to refrain from using all forms of ‘disposable’ plastic carrying bags in both main luggage and hand luggage, to avoid inconveniences and possibly prosecution.

Kenya has joined other East African countries that include Rwanda and Ethiopia in banning plastic bags. Many conservationists and tour operators have applauded Kenya’s move towards reducing waste in its official ban of plastic bags.