PS Mugambi Presents Seven Draft Environmental Regulations for Parliamentary Scrutiny

Forestry Principal Secretary Mr. Gitonga Mugambi appeared before the Committee on Delegated Legislation, chaired by Ainabkoi Member of Parliament Hon. Samuel Kiprono Chepkonga, in Naivasha for the pre-publication scrutiny of seven draft environmental regulations.

The proposed regulations fall under the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA), the Climate Change Act (Cap. 387A) and the Forest Conservation and Management Act (Cap. 385). The scrutiny process seeks to facilitate parliamentary consideration of the draft legal instruments before publication.

The proposed regulations cover carbon trading, the National Carbon Registry, wetlands conservation, environmental impact assessments, public forest concessions, charcoal production and trade, and participation in sustainable forest management.

The proposed Carbon Trading Regulations, 2026 seek to provide a framework for regulating carbon markets, establishing carbon budgeting mechanisms and aligning carbon trading with Kenya’s climate commitments and emissions reduction targets. The National Carbon Registry Regulations, 2026 aim to strengthen transparency and accountability by providing for the tracking of carbon projects, credits and transactions.

Under EMCA, the proposed Wetlands Regulations, 2025 seek to protect and restore wetlands through management plans, pollution control and regulation of activities that could degrade these ecosystems.

The three proposed regulations under the Forest Conservation and Management Act address public forest concessions, charcoal production and trade, and participation in sustainable forest management. Together, they aim to guide the sustainable use, management and conservation of forest resources.

The proposed regulations on environmental impact assessments and the other draft instruments form part of the broader effort to strengthen Kenya’s environmental governance and regulatory framework.

Mr. Mugambi was accompanied by the Secretary, Forest Development, Mr. George Tarus, Dr. Nyatichi Omambia of the Designated National Authority at NEMA, Head of Legal Unit Linah Meeme and officers from the Office of the Attorney-General, Kenya Forest Service (KFS), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI).

The exercise underscores the importance of parliamentary scrutiny in developing a robust regulatory framework to support environmental protection, climate action and sustainable forest management in Kenya.