Senate questions CS Barasa on responses to climate risks, waste and invasions

Parliament Buildings, 
Wednesday, 23rd July, 2025

Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Deborah M. Barasa, appeared before the Senate plenary to respond to a series of questions from senators concerning ecological degradation, waste management failures, and county-level compliance with national climate legislation.

Responding to Sen. Mohamed Chute (Marsabit) on the unchecked spread of the invasive Prosopis juliflora popularly known as Mathenge, the CS confirmed that the weed now covers an estimated 1.1 million hectares across 22 counties, with Turkana and Marsabit being the most affected. She attributed the invasion to historical misclassification during earlier afforestation efforts, and its accelerated growth during the 1997–1998 El Nino season.

She informed the House that the Ministry has developed a National Prosopis Strategy and Action Plan (2025–2035) to guide eradication and utilization efforts. Additionally, four counties Marsabit, Baringo, Isiolo, and Tana River have already developed localized spatial management plans, while communities have been trained in charcoal processing, animal feed production and other forms of value addition. 

The CS also acknowledged previous failed attempts at commercial-scale processing, such as the 2015 gasification project in Baringo, which collapsed due to high impurity levels in the feedstock.

On a separate matter raised by Sen. Joe Nyutu (Murang’a), Dr. Barasa addressed concerns about illegal dumping of solid waste in Kangema Constituency. She confirmed that the designated site at Mukarara Junction an abandoned quarry repurposed as a dumpsite was not compliant with national waste management regulations. She cited multiple risks including environmental pollution, lack of proper access infrastructure, absence of fencing, and uncontrolled disposal practices. 

The Ministry, through NEMA, has issued improvement notices to the Murang’a County Government and directed all counties to conduct environmental audits and establish licensed waste disposal facilities in line with the Waste Management Act.

The CS also updated senators on the national efforts to restore degraded landscapes and support green economic activities. She highlighted programmes such as the 15 Billion Tree Growing Initiative and the National Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Strategy (2023–2032), as well as ongoing collaboration with international partners like the ILO in community-based restoration projects targeting invasive species in Garissa, Turkana and Tana River.

Dr. Barasa assured the Senate that the Ministry is committed to ensuring full compliance with the Climate Change Act across all counties and is working closely with devolved governments to mainstream climate risk management into development planning.