Members of the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry, and Mining, chaired by Vincent Musyoka, today reviewed proposed amendments to the Meteorology Bill, 2023 (Senate Bill No. 45 of 2023) and the Environmental Professionals Institute of Kenya Bill, 2024 (National Assembly Bill No. 45 of 2023).
After deliberations, the committee recommended that both bills proceed with key amendments aimed at strengthening their provisions.
Traditional Indigenous Knowledge to be Included in Meteorology Bill
Committee Vice Chairperson Charles Kamuren (Baringo South) and Joseph Emathe (Turkana Central) proposed integrating Traditional Indigenous Knowledge (TIK) into the Meteorology Bill to complement modern weather forecasting methods.
“Indigenous knowledge is crucial—we cannot ignore it. Communities have long predicted weather patterns by observing animal intestines or bird movements, often with remarkable accuracy. This should be incorporated into the bill,” Kamuren stated.Additionally, lawmakers emphasized that the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority, as proposed in the bill, must align its aeronautical meteorological services with the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, the Civil Aviation Act, and related regulations.
Environmental Professionals Bill Aligns with Existing Laws
On the Environmental Professionals Institute of Kenya Bill, the committee clarified that there is no conflict between the proposed legislation and the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) regarding the functions of the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA).
Members also recommended the inclusion of a distinct category for environmental consultants within the bill. Committee Chairperson Musyoka stressed the need for clearly defined membership categories to prevent overlaps in professional regulation.
The proposed amendments will now proceed to the next legislative stages as lawmakers seek to refine the bills before enactment.
