Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Deborah Barasa, made a courtesy visit to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) headquarters in Nairobi on Thursday, signaling a renewed push for closer ties between the ministry and the regulatory body to advance the country’s environmental goals.

Dr. Barasa, accompanied by Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ngeno, was received by NEMA Chairman Emilio Mugo and Director General Mamo B. Mamo.

The visit, described as a maiden engagement by ministry officials, included a tour of NEMA’s facilities, such as its Geographic Information System (GIS) lab and licensing center, and discussions with senior staff.

Speaking during the visit, Dr. Barasa underscored the importance of aligning policy and enforcement to tackle Kenya’s pressing environmental challenges, including climate change, pollution, and deforestation.

“This is about enhancing synergy between policy formulation and regulatory implementation,” she said, emphasizing that environmental protection must remain a cornerstone of Kenya’s development agenda.

CS Barasa plants a tree at NEMAkenya headquarters (Photo: @DeboraBarasa/X)

DG Mamo welcomed the delegation, calling the visit a “timely show of solidarity” from the ministry.

He reiterated NEMA’s commitment to enforcing environmental standards and preserving Kenya’s natural resources, amid growing concerns over issues like waste management and biodiversity loss.

The visit comes as Kenya ramps up efforts to meet its climate commitments, including a national target to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 as part of the government’s ambitious reforestation program.

Thursday’s visit sets the stage for more regular consultations between the two entities, with both sides expressing optimism about delivering sustainable solutions.