NAIROBI, Kenya — The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) will convene a national validation meeting next week to finalize two key environmental regulations aimed at improving the management of electronic waste and strengthening environmental impact oversight in Kenya.
In a public notice issued Tuesday, the authority invited stakeholders and members of the public to participate in the validation exercise scheduled for March 16, 2026, at 9 a.m. at the Co-operative University of Kenya.
The meeting will review two draft frameworks: the Draft Electrical and Electronic Waste Management Regulations, 2025, and the Draft Environmental (Strategic Assessment, Integrated Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2025.
According to NEMA, the draft regulations have already been revised to incorporate feedback gathered during earlier stakeholder consultations and public participation forums.
Addressing the rising e-waste challenge
The proposed E-Waste Management Regulations, 2025, are designed to address the growing volume of discarded electronic devices such as computers, mobile phones, televisions, and household appliances.
Authorities say electronic waste is becoming one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the country, driven by rapid technological change and increasing consumer demand for electronic devices.
The proposed rules seek to strengthen systems for the collection, recycling, and safe disposal of electronic waste while introducing clearer obligations for manufacturers and importers through extended producer responsibility.
Such measures would require producers and distributors to take greater responsibility for the lifecycle management of electronic products once they reach the end of their useful life.
Strengthening environmental oversight
The second set of regulations — the Environmental (Strategic Assessment, Integrated Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2025 — aims to streamline environmental oversight of development projects.
If adopted, the regulations will clarify procedures for strategic environmental assessments, environmental impact assessments (EIA), and environmental compliance audits required for major projects.
These mechanisms are designed to ensure that large infrastructure, industrial, and development projects comply with environmental standards before and during implementation.
Legal framework and public participation
NEMA said the regulations are being developed under the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA), Kenya’s principal law governing environmental protection and sustainable development.
“This notice therefore serves as an invitation to attend and participate in the validation exercise,” the authority said in its public notice.
Stakeholders interested in attending were asked to confirm participation through the authority’s official communication channels.
