Hon. George Gachagua Defends Environmental Professionals Institute of Kenya Bill Before Parliamentary Committee

 

Ndaragwa Member of Parliament, Hon. George Gachagua, appeared before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry, and Mining on Tuesday to defend his proposed bill aimed at establishing the Environmental Professionals Institute of Kenya (EPIK).

The Bill, which is intended to regulate the environmental sector and set professional standards, was presented to the Committee for the second time. Hon. Gachagua emphasized the importance of creating a statutory framework to oversee environmental professionals in Kenya, much like existing bodies that regulate other sectors, such as the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), and the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM).

Speaking before the Committee, Hon. Gachagua stressed that the environmental sector plays a pivotal role in Kenya’s sustainable development but lacks a regulatory framework for its practitioners. "This Bill seeks to establish a professional body that will provide oversight, promote ethical standards, and ensure continuous professional development among environmental practitioners," he said.

The lawmaker further addressed concerns raised by some members of the Committee who feared that the establishment of the Institute could duplicate the functions of the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA). "The Bill does not seek to undermine NEMA’s role," Hon. Gachagua explained. "Instead, it aims to strengthen the role of NEMA by creating a structured professional body that will encourage professional growth and ethical standards while contributing to national and international environmental goals."

During the discussion, Hon. Mohammed Tubi (Isiolo South) and Hon. Said Buya (Galole) suggested that the Bill be expanded to include other related professionals, such as those in wildlife conservation, mining, and aquatic ecosystems. "This is a good Bill, but we want to see it broadened to include all professionals within the sector," said Hon. Tubi.

In response to these suggestions, the Chairperson of the previous session, Hon. Charity Kathambi (Njoro), directed Hon. Gachagua to refine the Bill to address the concerns raised by the Committee. "We want to ensure that all relevant professionals are captured in the document. Please consider widening the scope of your Bill before resubmitting it," she instructed.

Hon. Gachagua agreed to retreat and make the necessary revisions to the Bill before presenting an improved version to the Committee. His efforts to establish the Environmental Professionals Institute of Kenya highlight the growing importance of regulating the environmental sector to ensure that it meets both national and global environmental objectives.

The Committee is expected to review the revised Bill in the coming weeks, as Kenya continues to prioritize sustainable development and environmental conservation.

April 09, 2025