Kenya is moving to update its climate and environment laws as the government steps up efforts to protect the environment and respond to climate change
Principal Secretary Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno said the department has many reforms at advanced stages. These changes aim to make Kenya’s laws match new global climate rules and national development needs.
One big task is reviewing the National Environment Policy of 2013. The review will update the policy so counties and national planners include the environment in their decisions.
The department is also writing rules under the Climate Change Act. The Climate Change (Non-Market Approaches) Regulations, 2026 have been published and are being amended. These rules will help Kenya work with other countries under the Paris Agreement and push forward the country’s climate promises (NDCs).
Other important rules include the Carbon Trading Regulations, 2026 and the Carbon Registry Regulations, 2026. Parliament is looking at them now. They are meant to make carbon trading fair and clear and to track carbon projects in Kenya.
Work is also under way on the Climate Change Fund Regulations, 2026. The fund will look for money from loans, grants and investors to pay for climate projects, support green ideas and give technical help to county governments.
The government is not forgetting nature. The Environmental Management and Coordination (Wetlands) Regulations, 2026 are before Parliament. These rules will help protect, restore and manage wetlands and make sure they are part of land use planning.
There are also plans for stronger checks on projects through the Strategic and Integrated Environmental Assessment and Environmental Audit Regulations, 2026. These rules will make sure projects, policies and programmes consider the environment from the start.
Parliamentary Affairs PS Ms Aurelia Rono welcomed the progress. She said the government is working on many initiatives 1,308 in total by March 2026 including 671 statutory instruments, 290 policy ideas and 388 state projects.
If passed, the new laws and rules should help Kenya cope better with climate change, protect important ecosystems, and support sustainable growth.
