Environment CS Deborah Barasa has lifted the lid on the
government's large-scale crackdown on industrial pollution, unsafe e-waste
handling and toxic dumping.
The CS disclosed that the National Environment Management
Authority (Nema) has shut down hundreds of illegal pollution sources and
ordered companies to clean up polluted rivers.
Barasa told the Senate on Wednesday that the agency has
strengthened enforcement against polluters.
Nema is using inspections, restoration orders, prosecutions
and stricter regulations to protect public health.
"The government remains firmly committed to protecting
all Kenyans from the harmful effects of industrial pollution, hazardous waste
and toxic exposure.
"We will continue to enforce our laws with vigour and
ensure every Kenyan enjoys the constitutional right to a clean and healthy
environment," Barasa said.
The CS was responding to a question by nominated Senator
Hamida Kibwana on measures to stop industrial pollution, unsafe e-waste disposal
and toxic dumping.
Barasa said Nema has increased inspections nationwide,
focusing on pollution hotspots and industries that discharge untreated waste.
In the 2024-25 financial year, Nema inspected 101 facilities
in the Nairobi Metropolitan area. It ordered firms found discharging illegal
effluent to stop immediately and comply with environmental standards.
The campaign has since expanded to the Athi-Galana-Sabaki
River Basin.
During the 2025-26 financial year, Nema identified and shut
down 405 illegal discharge points, exceeding its target of 400.
The ministry has also tightened environmental audits.
High-risk industries are required to submit annual reports
demonstrating compliance with environmental laws.
The number of audits reviewed rose from 6,673 in 2024-25 to
9,798 in 2025-26.
Operators who failed to comply received improvement orders.
Nema also carried out special audits in hospitals, mining
sites, agrochemical firms, renewable energy projects and asbestos disposal
facilities.
The crackdown has also targeted companies whose products end
up polluting the environment.
Barasa said 296 producers have been compelled to clean up
rivers under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework.
The companies received Environmental Restoration Orders
covering the Nairobi, Ngong, Mathare, Kandisi and Kirichwa rivers.
She said Nema has changed its enforcement strategy.
Instead of ordering individual companies to carry out
clean-up activities, it now requires Producer Responsibility Organisations
(PROs) to ensure all their members comply with waste management regulations.
To encourage waste collection, Nema has directed PROs to pay
waste pickers, transporters and aggregators.
One organisation, HAPROK, has agreed to pay waste pickers
Sh20 per kilogramme of hazardous waste collected.
Aggregators will earn Sh7.50 per kilogramme, while
transporters will receive Sh15 per kilogramme.
The ministry said the payments will make waste collection a
source of income and help reduce pollution.
Barasa admitted that illegal waste handling remains a
serious challenge.
A nationwide assessment found that open burning of waste and
informal e-waste recycling are major sources of toxic pollution.
The study found that workers and nearby communities are
exposed to dangerous substances, including lead and mercury.
It also identified weak waste collection systems, limited
recycling facilities and inadequate laboratory capacity to monitor pollution.
The assessment led to the development of a national e-waste
inventory covering all 47 counties.
It also created a database on hazardous substances and
mapped pollution hotspots.
Barasa said Kenya is adopting international best practices
under the Basel, Stockholm and Minamata conventions.
The reforms include stricter waste management laws,
intelligence-led inspections, stronger laboratories, digitised compliance
systems and tougher penalties for polluters.
The government is also formalising the informal e-waste
sector.
It plans to integrate waste handlers into licensed recycling
systems and promote safer technologies.
Nema is strengthening cooperation with county governments,
public health agencies and other regulators.
It is also using a national incident management system to
respond quickly to pollution reports.
"In FY 2025/26, 12 incidents involving toxic chemical
spills, leaks, fires and hazardous substances, including ammonia, chlorine and
industrial solvents, were responded to and remain under active
monitoring," Barasa told senators.
She said the reforms will strengthen pollution control,
improve accountability and better protect public health and the environment.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The government's tougher enforcement marks a shift from
reactive to preventive environmental regulation.
Closing illegal discharge points, compelling producers to
finance waste management and formalising the e-waste sector could significantly
reduce pollution if enforcement remains consistent.
However, the findings also expose persistent gaps in
recycling infrastructure, laboratory capacity and hazardous waste collection.
Success will depend on sustained funding, stronger
coordination between national and county agencies, and strict compliance by
industries whose activities continue to pose serious public health and
environmental risks.
Environment CS Deborah Barasa in the Senate/ HANDOUT
