Nema Kenya

NEMA Environmental inspectors have arrested 13 proprietors of facilities in Kitui County operating without requisite environmental licences from the Authority.

This follows environmental inspections on several hotels, hospitals, and petrol stations to assess compliance with environmental regulations.

The Water Quality Regulations 2024 provides that facilities should treat their waste water before discharging to the environment and obtain Effluent Discharge Licence.

NEMAKenya Environment Officers today continued routine environmental compliance inspections within Wote Town, Makueni County. Several facilities were found non-compliant with environmental regulations and were issued with directives to undertake corrective measures.
Facilities inspected included hospitals, hotels, petrol stations, garages, and commercial establishments within the town.
The authority continues to enforce environmental laws to safeguard public health and promote a clean and sustainable environment.

Our Environment, Our Life, Our Responsibility

NEMAKenya enforcement officers yesterday conducted routine compliance inspections at various facilities within Makindu Town, Makueni County to assess adherence to environmental regulations.
Among the facilities inspected were Guru Sikh Hospital, TotalEnergies Petrol Station Makindu, Mulatya Memorial Hospital and NYSIS Hotel. Facilities found to be non-compliant were issued with notices and granted up to seven days to undertake corrective measures.
The Authority continues to uphold its mandate of ensuring a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment for all.

NEMAKenya yesterday responded to an incident involving the illegal dumping of asbestos roofing materials at Smart Village in Kaasuvi Sub-location, Makindu Sub-County. The hazardous materials are believed to have been dumped during the night by unknown individuals.

NEMA Makueni County in collaboration with Public Health Department of Makueni County government took swift action, secured and cordon off the affected area to prevent public exposure. Residents are strongly cautioned against touching, collecting, transporting, or reusing the dumped asbestos materials. Asbestos is classified as a hazardous substance, and when its fibers are disturbed and inhaled, they can cause serious health complications, including respiratory diseases, lung damage, and cancer.

Members of the public are advised to keep away from the site and to report any information that may help identify the individuals responsible for the illegal dumping. Relevant authorities are undertaking the necessary measures to ensure the safe handling, transportation, and disposal of the hazardous waste in accordance with environmental and public health regulations.

NEMA Director General, Dr. Mamo B. Mamo, EBS, made a presentation during the 3rd Annual Regulatory Authorities and Agencies (RAAs) Conference held from 3rd to 8th May 2026 at the South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU), Kwa Vonza, Kitui County.

In his presentation, Dr. Mamo B. Mamo, EBS spoke about increasing the gains of regulatory interventions, securing compliance, reducing resistance to regulatory interventions and on engendering a facilitative framework for implementing agencies and stakeholders to thrive.

The conference, organised by the office of the Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service, brought together regulatory authorities and agencies to reflect on performance, share experiences and adopt emerging best practices in regulatory governance aimed at enhancing service delivery, accountability and efficiency in the public sector.

The environmental experts from the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) today visited NEMA for an environmental consultation meeting, as recommended during the 2024 Control Environmental Audit, and to discuss other compliance issues affecting the Unit.

The meeting brought together the BATUK environmental team from United Kingdom and their counterparts in Kenya, who engaged with NEMA staff from the Enforcement Directorate led by Deputy Director Enforcement, Salome Machua on behalf of the Director General.

During the discussions, both parties agreed to continue strengthening collaboration, with emphasis on compliance with environmental requirements. The BATUK team also highlighted challenges experienced during public participation processes.

The meeting further resolved to enhance collaboration and engagement with relevant stakeholders and local communities, especially on Social Impact Assessment, vulnerability and risk assessment, grievance redress mechanisms as well as stakeholder engagement.

NEMA Board Chairman Emilio Mugo, the Chairperson of the Environmental Management Conservation and Technical Committee of the Board (EMCTC), John Kimondiu and Director General Dr. Mamo B Mamo, EBS, are at the 3rd Annual Regulatory Authorities and Agencies (RAAs) Conference taking place from 6th – 8th May 2026 at South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU), Kwa Vonza Campus, Kitui County.

The conference brings together Regulatory Authorities and Agencies to reflect on performance, share experiences, and deliberate on emerging best practices in regulatory governance aimed at enhancing service delivery, strengthening standards, and promoting efficiency in the public sector.

NEMA remains committed to strengthening environmental governance and advancing sustainable development through collaboration, innovation, and institutional excellence.

Are you a YOUTH in Climate Action?

Would you like to be a PANELIST during the Webinar?

Here is your Chance,
Register: https://l1nk.dev/idzz3d0

The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Deborah Barasa, accompanied by the NEMA Director General, Dr. Mamo B. Mamo, EBS, today led an inspection of industrial facilities in Mlolongo, Machakos County.

The facilities visited included Canon Chemicals Ltd and Shreeji Chemicals Limited. Shreeji Chemicals was closed, and its proprietors arrested for failing to cooperate with the enforcement team and for non-compliance with various environmental orders issued to them.

Speaking on site, the CS noted that industrial effluent, leaking sewer systems, and solid waste runoff have collectively contributed to the pollution of urban rivers. These indicators point to a river system overwhelmed by contamination from multiple discharge sources.

“70% of wastewater generated in Nairobi is discharged untreated into the environment, compounding the crisis and extending its impact downstream,” the CS stated.

The CS affirmed that enforcement actions will continue across the country, and facilities found to be non-compliant will face appropriate sanctions, including closure where necessary. Facilities operating without functional effluent treatment plants, or with systems that do not meet discharge standards, will not be allowed to continue operations.

She further warned that facilities using or handling chemicals without proper registration with NEMA will be deemed non-compliant. Additionally, the use of unauthorized plastic bags, in violation of Kenya’s plastic ban, continues to contribute to blocked drainage systems, river pollution, and the release of toxic fumes through open burning.

The NEMA Director General, Dr. Mamo B. Mamo, reiterated that the Authority remains committed to supporting industries through compliance assistance. However, he cautioned that facilities unwilling to comply will face the necessary enforcement measures, including closure.

Last year, NEMA inspected over 100 facilities along the Nairobi Rivers, noting improvements such as the installation of effluent treatment plants, which have contributed to better discharge quality into the environment.

Happy Labour Day