KEPRO inks deal with NECC to advance environmental sustainability in Kenya

KENYA – The Kenya Extended Producer Responsibility Organization (KEPRO) and the National Environmental Complaints Committee (NECC) have signed a MoU aimed at advancing environmental sustainability through coordinated efforts in waste management, policy advocacy, public awareness, and enforcement of environmental regulations.

The MoU formalizes a strategic partnership that reflects Kenya’s growing commitment to a circular economy and underscores the importance of collaborative action in addressing environmental challenges.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, KEPRO CEO James Odongo said, “This partnership brings together two organizations committed to protecting Kenya’s environment through complementary approaches.

“It’s a timely collaboration that will improve coordination in addressing environmental complaints and strengthening producer responsibility.”

NECC CEO Ms. Mary Njogu echoed this sentiment, noting, “With KEPRO’s reach in the private sector and our mandate to investigate and address environmental grievances, this MoU allows us to build a more responsive and proactive environmental protection ecosystem.”

This alliance comes at a time when Kenya is taking decisive steps to promote a circular economy, a model that emphasizes resource efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable production and consumption.

One major milestone is the enactment of the Sustainable Waste Management Act of 2022, which establishes a legal framework for waste segregation at the source, recovery, and recycling, as well as the extended responsibility of producers to manage the entire lifecycle of their products.

In addition, Kenya has developed a National Circular Economy Roadmap, outlining strategies to shift from a linear “take-make-dispose” model to a more regenerative system.

The roadmap identifies priority areas such as plastics, agriculture, construction, and e-waste, and promotes innovation, green investment, and public-private partnerships.

The government has also launched initiatives such as the Kenya Plastics Pact, which unites stakeholders across the plastics value chain to redesign packaging, eliminate unnecessary plastics, and increase reuse and recycling.

Furthermore, Kenya is aligning with global sustainability frameworks, including the Paris Agreement and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which prioritize environmental conservation, climate action, and inclusive green growth.

By bringing together regulatory oversight and private sector engagement, the KEPRO-NECC partnership is poised to enhance implementation of these national efforts.

It signals a progressive shift toward sustainable resource management, ensuring that environmental stewardship becomes a shared responsibility among producers, regulators, and the public.

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