Members of the National Assembly have passed the Environmental Professionals Institute of Kenya Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 36 of 2024), paving the way for a statutory framework to regulate environmental professionals and strengthen standards in the practice.

The Bill, sponsored by Hon. George Gachagua (Ndaragwa), seeks to establish the Environmental Professionals Institute of Kenya, with a mandate to register, license and regulate environmental professionals, while promoting professional development, research and knowledge sharing.

According to the Bill published on the Parliament of Kenya website, the proposed Institute will exercise general supervision and control over the professional development and practice of registered environmental professionals in the country.

The legislation also provides for the establishment of a governing Council responsible for managing the Institute, as well as the appointment of a Registrar to oversee its day-to-day operations.

The proposed law sets out requirements for registration and eligibility for membership of the Council, alongside provisions addressing professional misconduct and the standards expected of practitioners.

Under the Bill, the Institute will also promote research and the exchange of knowledge on environmental matters and collaborate with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and other national and international institutions to advance environmental practice.

The legislation is expected to provide a professional framework for environmental practitioners working in areas including environmental management, natural resources, earth sciences and related fields, subject to the qualifications prescribed under the proposed law