Environment Ministry Responds to Public Outcry: 2025 Regulations Pulled Due to Consultation Concerns

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Environment Ministry Responds to Public Outcry: 2025 Regulations Pulled Due to Consultation Concerns

The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry has decided to withdraw the 2025 Environmental Management and Coordination Regulations. This move comes after strong pushback from the Senate and industry groups over the lack of adequate consultation.

During a Senate Committee meeting, Principal Secretary Festus Ng’eno explained that the Ministry is stepping back to allow for wider stakeholder engagement. “We realized we were going in circles,” he said, emphasizing the need for more discussions with everyone involved.

The Senate Clerk has been informed, and a formal notice will be sent to the National Assembly soon. The Ministry expressed in a letter to the Committee that they wish to withdraw the Legal Notice to facilitate further public consultation. They aim to present the revised Statutory Instrument when the time is right.

This decision followed a recommendation from the Senate Committee, led by Senator Mwenda Gataya, which advised the Environment Cabinet Secretary, Deborah Barasa, to reassess the proposed rules. Failure to do so could have led to annulment.

Senator Gataya noted, “After careful examination, we can either approve or annul these Regulations. There’s no third option.” Earlier, the Environment Institute of Kenya had also urged Parliament to pause the process. They argued that the proposed regulations did not meet the legal standards and lacked sufficient public participation.

The Institute’s call for a public hearing received support, allowing professionals and other stakeholders to share their views on the reforms. Senators like Mohamed Faki and Betty Montet agreed on the need for a withdrawal but cautioned the Ministry not to repeat their earlier mistakes. They stressed the importance of ensuring a legally sound process moving forward.

While the situation is evolving, experts urge that public participation is vital for effective environmental regulations. According to a recent survey, 78% of Kenyans believe community engagement is crucial for environmental decisions that impact their lives. This reflects a growing awareness and demand for transparency in government processes.

For more information on the environmental regulations and related community feedback, you can visit the World Wildlife Fund and explore how public input shapes environmental policies globally.



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Environment Ministry withdraws 2025 regulations amid outcry over lack of consultation, Headlines, Climate Change, climate change, Environment, Deborah Barasa, Ministry of Environment, Environmental Management