Environmental professionals will be required to be registered and certified to work in Kenya if a draft Bill before the National Assembly sees the light of day.
The draft Environment Institute of Kenya Bill, 2023 proposes the establishment of the Environment Institute of Kenya which will be mandated with registration of environmental professionals in Kenya.
The Bill sponsored by Ndaragwa MP George Gachagua also provides for regulation and professional development of environmental professionals.
“The institute, therefore, will generate revenues in Appropriations in Aid by charging fees for the issuance of certificates of registration and practising certificates to environmental professionals and environmental firms working in Kenya,” Gachagua stated.
Appearing before the Budget and Appropriations Committee, Gachagua said other functions of the institute will include the establishment, monitoring, and publishing of standards of professional competence and practice amongst environmental professionals.
He added that the institute will also promote research in environmental practice and related matters.
The bill recognises four categories of members who will be required to register and apply for annual practising certificates.
These are lead members, fellow members, associate members, and corporate members.
Gachagua said in Rwanda, Sri Lanka, and the USA, there exist legal frameworks and regulatory bodies that govern the standards and conduct of environmental professionals.
He noted that Sri Lanka and the USA have a single charge annual fee for their members while Rwanda has a one-time application fee and two types of annual fees charged to its members.