Hon. George Gachagua defends the Environment Professionals Institute of Kenya Bill, 2024 before the Environment Committee.

Hon. George Gachagua defends the Environment Professionals Institute of Kenya Bill, 2024 before the Environment Committee.

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐁𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫.
𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟖𝐭𝐡, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓.

Ndaragwa Member of Parliament Hon. George Gachagua today appeared before the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Environment Forestry and Mining led by Vice Chairperson Hon. Charles Kamuren to defend his Bill that seeks to introduce a law that will allow the establishment of the Environmental Professionals Institute in the country. 

The first term lawmaker who appeared before the Committee for the second time to explain the Bill, asked Hon. Members of the Committee process the Bill into law; noting that it was critical to come up with a professional body that will regulate the environmental sector just like other professional bodies.

He gave an example of the Law Society of Kenya, the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) and the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) that govern these professional bodies without interfering with regulatory authorities. 

"Hon. Members, Kenya's environmental sector plays a pivotal role in the country's sustainable development, yet there is currently no statutory framework for a professional body that governs environmental practitioners. This Bill seeks to establish a professional body which will provide professional oversight, promote ethical standards and ensure continuous professional development among environmental practitioners". 

He further dismissed the fears that the Institute will have a duplication of duties with the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) as guided by the EMCA Act. 

"The Bill strengthens rather than weakens the role of NEMA by creating a structured professional body. This will encourage professional growth, promote ethical standards and ensure that environmental professionals contribute effectively to the National and international environmental goals". 

Members of the Committee Hon. Mohammed Tubi (Isiolo South) and Hon. Said Buya (Galole) requested Hon. Gachagua to consider having all professionals from the sector into his document; Wildlife conservation, Mining and Aqua ecosystem. 

"This is a good Bill, however, we want to see you widen your area of professionals in this sector, you are only looking at environmental professionals, bring us an all inclusive document", Hon. Tubi. 

Hon. Charity Kathambi (Njoro) who chaired the last session of the meeting directed that the Hon. Member retreats back to seal all the loopholes cited in the Bill by the Committee and present an improved document.