KPCG Collaborates with Grassroots Organizations to Assess Proposed Climate Change Legislation

Kenya Platform for Climate Governance (KPCG) and various grassroots organizations, civil society groups, and non-state actors hosted an event aimed to discuss the Climate Change Amendment Bill 2023.

Dr. Wambua Kituku, a consultant from KPCG, explained that the meeting sought to identify gaps and opportunities within the proposed carbon markets mechanism and provide expert advice by developing a policy brief.

Dr. Kituku mentioned that in 2023, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry had published a draft of the climate change (amendment) bill, inviting public comments. The proposed legislation aimed to establish a framework for the development and implementation of carbon markets and non-market approaches, as well as benefit-sharing mechanisms related to these markets. Additionally, the bill proposed amendments to the composition and function of the climate change council.

While Dr. Kituku appreciated the Ministry’s initiative in establishing a regulatory framework for carbon markets in Kenya, he suggested that the Ministry should initiate a comprehensive policy on carbon markets to provide a foundation for the bill. He also urged the Ministry to reconsider its approach to resolving the disputes over nominations to the Climate Change Council.

Dr. Kituku emphasized the importance of maintaining mechanisms for public participation and stakeholder consultation as outlined in the existing legislation, especially in the absence of a national framework on the matter. He further emphasized that any changes to the climate change regime should aim to promote compliance with human rights and the protection of marginalized and vulnerable individuals.

Charity Kathambi Chepkwony, the Member of Parliament for Njoro Constituency and Chair of the Parliamentary Caucus on Climate Change, highlighted the impact of climate change on food security in Kenya, particularly affecting women and children. She noted that climate change had led to the death of 2.5 million livestock, landslides in some areas, and a rise in food insecurity in the country.