House Environment Committee raises concerns over state agencies skipping crucial meetings.

House Environment Committee raises concerns over state agencies skipping crucial meetings.

Bunge Tower, Parliament Buildings.
Thursday 29th May, 2025.

The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining has continued to raise concerns following what it terms as a deliberate trend by some Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies to delay Committee business by failing to honor invitations to appear before Committees to respond to issues of concern. 

In a sitting to review all the pending Committee business considered urgent, Committee Vice Chairperson Hon. Charles Kamuren (Baringo South), who led today's sitting, warned that the Committee will be considering stern action against the leadership of all State organs ignoring Committee invites or sermons without clear reasons. 

“The Standing Orders allow us to take action against any State Departments not appearing each time we invite them,and it's high time we invoked standing order No. 191(a)," Hon. Kamuren said. 

Among the pending business before the Committee include the delayed response from the State Department for Environment, National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), Ministry of Energy; Nuclear Power and Energy Authority (NuPEA) and Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA) on the multibillion Uyombo Nuclear Plant in Kilifi County. 

Others include a field visit to Marsabit County to inspect the alleged areas where dumping of toxic and nuclear wastes was done in the North Eastern Region of Kenya regarding a statement requested by Hon. Mohammed Adow, MP. 

Further there are issues of under valuation of forest area in Moi International airport Eldoret which was given a value of Ksh 500 million vis a vis the worth value of Ksh 3 Billion, the ongoing construction of a Hotel in Ngong Forest despite protests from the public, the Metrology Bill (Senate Bill No. 45 of 2923) and the Environmental Professionals Institute of Kenya Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 36 of 2024). 

Committee Members Hon. Joseph Emathe and Hon. Gertrude Mbeyu called on the secretariat to expedite the business before the Committee by exploring all avenues available. 

"Hon. Members, let us see how we can handle these pending issues, we have several Bills before us that need our quick input", said Hon. Emathe. 

Session Chair Hon. Kamuren directed that the issues be handled in the shortest time possible with a resolution that those witnesses who will continue snubbing Committee invites to be dealt with in accordance with the law.