A group of Kenyan lawmakers is calling for an urgent review of the country’s main climate change law, warning that the current legislation is outdated and falling short in the face of rising environmental and social challenges.
The appeal came during a climate workshop in Naivasha this week, where members of Parliament, Treasury officials, and environmental experts gathered to take stock of Kenya’s climate commitments and community-level action plans.
Senator Moses Kajwang’, who represents Homa Bay and co-leads Parliament’s Climate Change Caucus, didn’t mince his words.
“Our 2016 Climate Change Act needs to evolve with the times,” Kajwang’ said. “Climate change is not static. The law must keep pace with new science, local needs, and global commitments.”
The workshop brought together lawmakers from both the Senate and the National Assembly, especially those sitting in committees focused on the environment, land, forestry and natural resources. Also present were officials from the National Treasury, who are managing the Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLOCA) programme—a key government effort aimed at channeling climate funds directly to communities.
A Law Falling Behind
The 2016 Climate Change Act was a bold step when passed nearly a decade ago. It gave Kenya a legal framework to respond to global warming, supported by the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP). But many now say it’s due for a rethink.
Kenya ratified the Paris Agreement in 2016, pledging to cut emissions by 32% from projected levels by 2030. That promise is locked into the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), a cornerstone of international climate cooperation.
But lawmakers at the Naivasha meeting stressed that aligning this goal with the realities on the ground requires legal fine-tuning.
Nominated Senator Beatrice Ogolla spoke of Parliament’s duty to ensure that Kenya’s laws match international expectations.
“Parliament must do more than just endorse climate agreements,” Ogolla said. “We must translate them into action, into laws that guide every level of government, from national to county.”
She noted that the Senate committee has already begun reform efforts, although specifics on new legislation were not shared at the meeting.
Concerns Over ‘Fake Experts’
One issue causing deep concern is the growing number of unqualified individuals offering “climate services” in rural areas—especially in the carbon credit space.
Peter Odhengo, who coordinates the FLLOCA programme at the Treasury, warned that communities are being misled into shady carbon offset deals by people posing as experts.
“These people aren’t trained. They’re exploiting locals who don’t understand the fine print of carbon credits,” said Odhengo. “We need a law that says: if you don’t meet the professional standards, you don’t work in this space.”
The call was echoed by several lawmakers who agreed that while climate financing is essential, it must come with accountability and proper regulation.
The Road Ahead
While there is political will, the process of amending the law won’t be swift. It involves cross-party consensus, public consultation, and possibly a long parliamentary debate.
Still, there’s urgency. Kenya is already seeing the toll of rising temperatures—drought, floods, and shrinking harvests. The longer the legal gaps remain, the more exposed communities are to both climate risks and financial exploitation.
As Senator Kajwang’ put it:
“We’re not rewriting the law for the sake of it. We’re doing it to protect our people and secure our planet’s future.”
For now, all eyes are on Parliament. The next few months could shape how Kenya responds to climate change for years to come.
