NAIROBI, Kenya, April 9 – The Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (KARA) has called for the immediate resignation of National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Director General, Muusya Mwinzi.
The association on Thursday accused Dr Mwinzi of underperforming in his duties and allowing wanton destruction of the environment.
“He should step aside to save this country from further depletion and destruction of our natural environment,” a statement from KARA said.
KARA said the problem with NEMA was not insufficient legislation but lack of a proper implementation plan.
“Even with the noise pollution regulations announced by the Minister (John Michuki) yesterday, there will be nothing to show after six months. The so-called “negotiated compliance” will render them difficult to implement,” the statement further said.
KARA also demanded that the environmental authority complies with newly gazzetted EMCA (wetlands, river banks, lake shores and sea management) regulations, which gave the authority enormous powers to safeguard fragile environments.
“It should comply with EMCA clause 9 in its entirety and specifically a section that reads.. “Exercise general supervision and coordination over all matters relating to environment and to be the principal instrument of government in the implementation of all policies relating to the environment,” the resident alliance demanded.
They said presently, NEMA was not exercising its duties especially when it came to implementation of all policies related to the environment.
Also, the alliance demanded that NEMA complies with section 28(1) which expects it to create a register of activities (including uncontrolled developments) and industrial plants and undertakings which have or are most likely to have significant adverse effects on the environment.
It also called for overall institutional efficiency, internal corporate governance, anti-corruption initiatives and overall performance contracts initiatives for NEMA Director General and Directors to be made public.
The petition further seeks that in solidarity with concerned Kenyans, no “celebration” should be marked on the World Environment Day on 5th June.
The petition was handed over to NEMA’s Chief Corporate Communications Manager, Ruth Musembi who defended the environmental authority and said it was doing the best to save the country’s natural resources.
“I want to assure Kenyans that the environment is in safe hands. I do not want people to think that their environment is worse of than it used to be. some of the messes that have happened on environment are historical they have been done for a very long time and NEMA is working day and night to correct those messes including the current ones,” she assured.
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