THE ENVIRONMENTAL (STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT, INTEGRATED IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND AUDIT) REGULATIONS, 2017

The 2017 Regulations under the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act (Cap 387) provide a comprehensive framework for environmental assessment in Kenya. They mandate the registration and licensing of environmental experts, define the processes for project reports and Integrated Environmental Impact Assessments (IEIA) for high-risk projects, and set rules for environmental auditing and monitoring. Additionally, the regulations introduce Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) for policies, plans, and programmes to ensure sustainable development. The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) is the primary regulatory body responsible for approvals, licensing, and enforcement, including the power to issue improvement notices or revoke licenses for non-compliance.

• The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) prohibits the implementation of any project likely to have a negative environmental impact unless an integrated environmental impact assessment has been approved.
• Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) are mandatory for all Policies, Plans, or Programmes in Kenya to ensure they are compatible with sustainable environmental planning.
• Environmental assessment experts must be registered and licensed by the Authority, with specific qualification criteria for Lead Experts, Associate Experts, and firms.
• Project reports for low and medium risk projects must include an integration of climate change vulnerability assessment, adaptation, and mitigation actions.
• High-risk projects require a full Integrated Environmental Impact Assessment study, which must include the analysis of at least three alternatives, including the 'no-project' option.
• Environmental audit frequencies are determined by project risk level: high-risk projects every 12 months, medium-risk every 3 years, and low-risk every 5 years.
• The Authority can take enforcement actions if a facility fails to comply with an environmental management plan, including issuing improvement, restoration, or closure orders, or initiating legal proceedings.
• Public participation is a mandatory component of the assessment process, requiring public meetings and notices in the Gazette and newspapers to invite written comments.
• The regulations establish a Code of Practice and Professional Ethics for experts, with penalties for misconduct such as accepting bribes or abandoning work without notice.

APA

Natural Justice (2017). THE ENVIRONMENTAL (STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT, INTEGRATED IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND AUDIT) REGULATIONS, 2017. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Environmental-Management-Coordination-Act.pdf

Chicago

Natural Justice. THE ENVIRONMENTAL (STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT, INTEGRATED IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND AUDIT) REGULATIONS, 2017. 2017. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Environmental-Management-Coordination-Act.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Natural Justice |title=THE ENVIRONMENTAL (STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT, INTEGRATED IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND AUDIT) REGULATIONS, 2017 |date=2017 |url=https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Environmental-Management-Coordination-Act.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{naturaljustice2017environmental, author = {{Natural Justice}}, title = {{THE ENVIRONMENTAL (STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT, INTEGRATED IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND AUDIT) REGULATIONS, 2017}}, institution = {Natural Justice}, year = {2017}, url = {https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Environmental-Management-Coordination-Act.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }