Environment and Climate Change

05/09/2026

‎The State Department for Environment, Climate Change through the Climate Change Directorate, under the leadership and consultation with the Principal Secretary, State Department for Environment and Climate Change Dr. Eng. Festus K Ng’eno, MIEK, CBS has successfully coordinated a multi agency technical team in a week long assessment of elements at risk in both Lake Baringo and Bogoria as the country moves closer to the anticipated El Niño rains.
‎
‎The exercise, which covered nine high-risk locations, including Loruk, Kampi ya Samaki, Loboi and Salabani, established significant impacts from rising lake levels affecting households, schools, health facilities, roads, businesses, farmlands and other critical infrastructure. In Loboi and Kampi ya Samaki, for instance, several tourism establishments and public facilities have been submerged, while in Loruk and Salabani, communities continue to face displacement and loss of livelihoods emerging not only from the rising water levels, but also flash floods from the flowing rivers.
‎
‎The assessment also highlighted the progress in the Government’s response in previous incidents, with several affected institutions and health facilities already relocated to safer ground or operating from alternative facilities. Schools, dispensaries and other essential services have in various cases been moved as water levels continue to rise, helping maintain access to critical services for affected communities.
‎
‎The assessment provides an important bridge from understanding the risks to implementing practical solutions, ensuring that Government interventions are guided by evidence and the needs of affected communities and that they are addressed before they escalate into a wider disaster.
‎
‎The communities visited have urgent needs including compensation or support for lost land and livelihoods, access to safer land for relocation, cash or in-kind assistance and support to relocate and restore affected schools, churches and other essential facilities. They also called for restoration of damaged roads and other critical infrastructure and strengthened protection against human-wildlife conflict which has been rampant in almost all the locations the team visited.

‎The technical team has now retreated to formulate a report which will be presented to the multi-sectoral committee next week, who will then consolidate the technical team’s findings into a comprehensive report for submission to the National Security Council (NSC), thus drawing a clear map of the transitional path from assessment and planning, to now the implementation stage. William Samoei Ruto Kenya Meteorological Department United Nations United Nations Development Programme - UNDP UNICEF The Ministry of Health Ministry of Interior and National Administration BARINGO COUNTY Kenya Defence Forces KTN News Kenya KBC Digital Kenya News Agency - KNA

03/09/2026

Advancing the Circular E-Waste Economy in East Africa

Dr. Selly Kimosop, Environment Secretary at Kenya's Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry(famously referred to as Mama Circular Economy)paid a courtesy visit to the East African Communications Organisation (EACO) offices in Rwanda at the sidelines of the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in her ongoing effort to build partnerships in the circular economy.

During the visit, she held discussions with Madam Caroline Koech, EACO Executive Director, and Mr. Abraham Mayol, Senior ICT Officer at the institution, centering on E-waste management through the adoption of a circular economy model across EAC countries and Africa at large.

Building on this engagement, the discussions focused on driving sustainable E-waste management by implementing Extended Producer Responsibility frameworks, harmonizing regional E-waste data, policies, and standards, expanding collection, recycling, and treatment infrastructure, and mobilizing resources for green innovation and public awareness.

Kenya is currently at an inflection point where waste is treated as a resource, and the government is supporting various waste collection and recycling enterprises to thrive, marking a win for the environment and health in a One Health approach. Strategic bankable investment pipelines have also been incorporated into the Circular Economy Strategy and Investment Plan.

Building on the momentum from the 8th EACO Regional Awareness Conference in Kinshasa, EACO and Kenya remain committed to achieving the vision of "Zero Negative Impact of E-waste in EACO Member States by 2030" through repair, reuse, refurbishment, and responsible recycling. We call upon all stakeholders and partners to work together in accelerating Kenya’s and the region's transition to a circular economy model, looking forward to deepening our partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry as we shape the upcoming regional framework for sustainable development.

03/09/2026

The Directorate of Waste Management and Pollution Control has convened a wide range of participants, including county governments, development partners such as Volunteers Service Overseas, the private sector, and waste management practitioners, to deliberate on and develop the Sustainable Waste Organic Waste Management Regulations of 2026.

This initiative addresses the escalating challenge of environmental pollution and resource loss driven by the heavy reliance on dumpsites and landfills for organic waste disposal.

To tackle this issue, the proposed framework seeks to replace the traditional linear model of waste generation and disposal with a circular economy approach. By establishing clear institutional roles, source segregation protocols, and infrastructure investments, the framework aims to convert organic materials into valuable commodities such as compost, biogas, and biofertilizers.

These measures are designed to curb greenhouse gas emissions, support national climate action goals, enhance soil health, and unlock green economic opportunities across the country. VSO

03/09/2026

The State Department for Environment and Climate Change, NETFUND and the World Bank held discussions on advancing the proposed INSPIRE/GBFF Project, biodiversity conservation, circular economy investments and sustainable waste management in Kenya.

The meeting, chaired by Principal Secretary Environment and Climate Change Dr. Eng. Festus K Ng’eno, MIEK, CBS, explored a proposed USD 16 million financing package, alongside opportunities in recycling, waste recovery, composting, biogas, waste-to-energy and other waste-to-value initiatives.

Key priorities included strengthening waste segregation at source, Material Recovery Facilities, county partnerships, private-sector participation, nature-based solutions and restoration enterprises. The partners also agreed to advance project preparation and develop Kenya’s circular economy and sustainable waste management investment agenda.

03/09/2026

03/09/2026

Transforming Kenya’s Food Systems for Climate, Land, and Water Security.

At the Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, Environment Secretary, Dr. Selly Kimosop represented Principal Secretary Dr. Eng. Festus K Ng’eno, MIEK, CBS to lead the launch of the GEF 8 Food Systems Integrated Program project: Integrated Land and Water Management for Food, Water and Climate Security in the Dairy Food System.

How do we increase agricultural productivity and resilience while protecting the vital ecosystems upon which our food production depends? Our strategic focus centers on the Yala Nyando River catchment ecosystems vital landscapes that support farming, water resources, and rural livelihoods, but which face increasing pressure from land degradation and climate change.

Through this transformative partnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the project is restoring degraded landscapes and conserving biodiversity, promoting sustainable land and water management, boosting a climate resilient dairy food system, and scaling innovative financing mechanisms like the Yala Nyando Conservation Water Fund by building on the success of the Upper Tana Nairobi Water Fund.

Public and development finance alone cannot deliver the required investment. Powerful partnerships are being built by bringing together farmers, county governments, financial institutions, and the private sector to prove that productive agriculture and environmental stewardship reinforce one another. Healthy ecosystems are productive national assets.

01/09/2026

The State Department for Environment and Climate Change brings you Mazingira Talks, a social media live series hosted by Principal Secretary Dr. Eng. Festus K Ng’eno, MIEK, CBS, to unpack key issues shaping Kenya’s environment and climate future.

Join us on our first episode on Thursday, 3rd September 2026 from 8Am to 10Am live on social media pages.

01/09/2026

𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄?

The ozone layer is our planet’s natural shield against harmful ultraviolet radiation. Protecting it also means promoting sustainable cooling solutions, reducing emissions of harmful substances, and taking climate action for a healthier, safer and cooler planet.

01/09/2026

The Government is implementing the National Communication Policy, which is designed to institutionalise communication as a central pillar of governance.

The policy targets to harmonise messaging
across Ministries, Departments and Agencies,
ensuring that the Government speaks with
one voice via Government Advertising Agency Kenya News Agency - KNA Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board Ministry of Information, Communications & The Digital Economy KE