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The National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry, and Mining, chaired by Hon. Vincent Musyoka (Mwala), held a crucial session on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, to discuss National Assembly Bill No. 36 of 2024, which seeks the establishment of the Environmental Professionals Institute of Kenya. This proposed legislation aims to regulate environmental professionals and create a structured framework for the sector.
The session saw significant contributions from the Environmental Institute of Kenya (EIK) and its Chairman, alongside renowned scholar and environmental expert, Prof. Ratemo Michieka. Prof. Michieka strongly supported the bill, describing it as a long-overdue step towards recognizing and regulating environmental professionals to the highest standards. He emphasized the bill’s potential to bring order to critical environmental fields such as climate change adaptation, wildlife management, water resources, and waste management.
"This Bill will create a professional framework that ensures competent practice in critical environmental fields," Prof. Michieka told the Committee, calling for its swift passage.
However, the bill faced stiff opposition from the Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Eng. Festus Ng'eno, who appeared on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Aden Bare Duale. Eng. Ng'eno argued that the provisions of the bill were already adequately covered under the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA), overseen by the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA).
"Environmental professionals, including Environmental Assessment Experts, are already regulated by NEMA under EMCA. There is no need for a new regulatory body as NEMA has made significant strides in improving the profession," said PS Ng'eno.
He further cautioned the Committee to ensure that new laws do not conflict with existing ones, stressing that legislation must be equitable and just for all, to promote a sustainable and healthy environment for Kenyans.
The Committee Chair, Hon. Musyoka, suggested that NEMA and the Environmental Professionals Institute of Kenya collaborate to provide a comprehensive and unified approach. He directed both parties to submit any further views or additional submissions for consideration.
Vice Chair Hon. Charles Kamuren and other Committee members expressed support for further engagement, asking for additional input from the professionals who would be directly impacted by the bill. The bill, which was sponsored by Hon. George Gachagua (Ndaragua), is seen as a critical move toward formalizing the environmental profession in Kenya.
The Committee also addressed the Metrology Bill (Senate Bill No. 45, 2023) during the same session, with PS Hon. Geoffrey Kaituko from the State Department for Shipping and Maritime praising the bill for its potential to streamline operations in the sector and reduce economic burdens on shipping. However, he proposed amendments to certain clauses. Additionally, the Director General of the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Mr. Emile Arao, raised concerns about the inclusion of Meteorology Services for Air Navigation in the Metrology Bill, urging lawmakers to exclude it, citing international regulations and the potential negative impact on the aviation industry.
The Committee is expected to make a decision on the KCAA’s request and continue consultations with stakeholders on both the Environmental Professionals Bill and the Metrology Bill.
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