NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 15 – Senators have challenged Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa over what they described as weak enforcement of environmental laws, despite Kenya having one of the region’s most comprehensive legal frameworks on pollutio …
… Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa said the Ministry is fully focused on achieving the 2032 tree planting target as well as boosting rehabilitation programmes situated across the country. …
… Kithure Kindiki (centre) receives a progress brief on the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr Deborah Barasa. …
… 3:02 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter First Lady Rachel Ruto and Kenya's Ambassador, Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Ida Odinga, and Environment CS Deborah Barasa …
… Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa said forest restoration is essential to securing the country’s environmental future. …
… for me to respond alone to the issues being raised, since they go beyond my mandate,” said Miano.Dullo acceded to Miano’s request and allowed her to leave, setting July 7 as the date that Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa …
… The event was attended by Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa, Environment Principal Secretary Festus Ngeno, Kilifi Deputy Governor Flora Mbetsa, Kenya’s Permanent Representative to UNEP, Dr. …
Kenyan senators have challenged Environment CS Deborah Barasa over weak enforcement of environmental laws, arguing that despite Kenya's comprehensive pollution control legal framework, continued industrial emissions, toxic waste dumping, and water contamination indicate serious implementation gaps. The lawmakers directed much criticism at the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), questioning its effectiveness in enforcing environmental standards.
Kenyan senators have challenged Environment CS Deborah Barasa over weak enforcement of environmental laws, arguing that despite Kenya's comprehensive pollution control legal framework, continued industrial emissions, toxic waste dumping, and water contamination indicate serious implementation gaps. The lawmakers directed much criticism at the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), questioning its effectiveness in enforcing environmental standards.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has rallied supporters to consolidate support for President Ruto's 2027 reelection, warning against political distractions including campaigns for 2032 elections. He called on supporters to set aside "unimportant matters" and unite efforts to ensure the President wins a second term.
Deputy President Kindiki has praised the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme as a blueprint for community-led conservation, saying its decade-long success shows that environmental restoration works best when it improves livelihoods for forest-adjacent communities. He spoke at the programme's 10th anniversary in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
First Lady Rachel Ruto and Ida Odinga led a tree-planting exercise in the Mau Forest Complex as part of the Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme, which aims to plant more than 40 million tree seedlings over the next decade to rehabilitate the forest and support the national campaign to grow 15 billion trees by 2032.
First Lady Rachel Ruto and Kenya's Ambassador to UNEP Ida Odinga led a tree-planting exercise in the Mau Forest Complex as part of a long-term conservation programme targeting the planting of more than 40 million seedlings over the next decade to restore degraded forest landscapes. The First Lady adopted 33 hectares within the forest as part of the restoration campaign.
During a Senate hearing on forced disappearances of young fishermen at Lake Nakuru, Kenya Wildlife Services Director General Erastus Kanga rejected a report tabled by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, saying he had not seen it and could not adequately respond to allegations without reviewing the document first.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called for enhanced global action to restore degraded rangelands and strengthen ecosystem resilience, saying Kenya is committed to planting 15 billion trees by 2032 to combat land degradation, drought and desertification.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called on the international community to intensify efforts to restore degraded rangelands and strengthen ecosystem resilience, warning that land degradation threatens livelihoods, food security, and environmental stability. Kenya is committed to planting 15 billion trees by 2032 to counter drought, desertification, and environmental degradation.
Kenya and Finland have signed memoranda of understanding on education (covering technical and vocational training, teacher development, and competency-based learning), digital innovation (digitisation of public services and digital transformation), and climate action (climate change resilience, environmental sustainability, and green growth). President William Ruto witnessed the ceremony with President Alexander Stubb in Helsinki on June 10, 2026.
President William Ruto oversaw the signing of three major cooperation agreements with Finland during a State Visit to Helsinki, covering education, technology, and climate action. The agreements are expected to deepen bilateral relations through practical collaboration in TVET, digital transformation, and climate initiatives.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said Kenya is on course to achieve the targeted 15 billion trees by 2032 to raise forest cover, with 1.7 billion trees already planted since the programme launched in 2022. He spoke during celebrations marking the International Day for Biological Diversity and the launch of the Cherangany Hills Ecosystem Restoration Programme in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
The Deputy President and Interior Cabinet Secretary launched the CHERISH programme in Elgeyo Marakwet County, linking ecosystem restoration to peacebuilding and security in the Kerio Valley region while calling on citizens to embrace environmental conservation as a constitutional and moral obligation.
Kenya has hosted the first-ever Global REDD+ Summit in Nairobi, bringing together representatives from 59 REDD+ countries, four donor nations and 14 international organisations to accelerate action against deforestation and climate change. Environment Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa noted the gathering comes at a critical moment for meeting Paris Agreement targets.
Nairobi is hosting a three-day summit drawing delegates from 59 countries, four donor nations and 14 international climate organisations to strengthen international cooperation on forest conservation and climate action under the REDD+ framework. Kenya launched Africa's inaugural National REDD+ Registry and operationalised a National Safeguards Information System to track forest emissions reductions and protect indigenous and local community rights.
Governments at the Global Landscapes Forum Africa conference have committed to advancing action for rangelands and pastoralist communities. Kenya will host the global observance of Desertification and Drought Day on 17 June 2026 under the theme "Rangelands: Recognise. Respect. Restore."
Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa has directed NEMA to step up enforcement of environmental laws with immediate sanctions for violators, including facility closures. The directive targets riparian land encroachment and non-compliant waste management practices, with a focus on illegal waste disposal and compliance with the Sustainable Waste Management Act 2022.
President William Ruto said Kenya is changing for the better and pointed to economic growth during his three years in office as proof the country is headed in the right direction. He highlighted progress in universal health coverage, agriculture, education and housing, and vowed that Kenya will become a first-world economy within his lifetime.
Antoine Moses, a Canadian who holds the Guinness World Record for planting the most terrestrial trees in 24 hours, is attempting a new record by planting 40,000 mangroves in 24 hours in Mombasa, coordinating with tidal shifts to plant as water retreats and focusing on mangroves as coastal buffers.
The government has appointed environmentalist Hillary Kibiwott as Ambassador for Kenya's 15 Billion Trees Campaign following his record attempt to plant 23,326 trees in 24 hours at Kaptagat Forest, pending Guinness World Records ratification.