Kenya’s plastic bag ban

In 2017 Kenya implemented a ban on plastic bags with some of the harshest consequences for those caught disobeying the law, a legislative move that showed just how “serious” the country is about reducing pollution and being a key player in environmentalism. This paper aims to break down why Kenya chose to adopt such a strict environmental policy. Through this research, I interview candidates with internal and intimate knowledge about the creation of the policy, as well as the players directly involved in the legislative process. Through qualitative data collection processes the paper explores the history and influences that play pivotal roles in the environmental legislation discourse across the country. I aim to explore to what extent international recognition, donor-funded agencies, and public demands influence policy-making at a national level. This paper also delves into the possibly intended impact of such a drastic policy on Kenya’s environmental agenda and what makes it such a unique case for the country.