Govt seeks public input on proposed charcoal regulations to curb deforestation
By Emmanuel Rono, May 24, 2026The government has initiated public participation on new proposed regulations aimed at reforming Kenya’s charcoal sector in a bid to promote sustainability, protect forests, and curb climate change effects.
In the notice dated May 22, 2026, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Deborah Barasa, confirmed that a Regulatory Impact Statement has been prepared to assess the effects of the proposed Forest Conservation and Management (Charcoal) Regulations on stakeholders and the public.
The proposed regulations, developed under the Forest Conservation and Management Act, seek to establish and maintain a sustainable charcoal value chain while addressing deforestation, environmental degradation, and climate change.
“IT IS notified for the general information of the public that pursuant to section 8 (1) of the Statutory Instruments Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry has prepared a regulatory impact statement on the impacts and likely impacts of the proposed Forest Conservation and Management (Charcoal)
Regulations, on stakeholders, members of the public and other persons likely to be affected by the proposed regulations,” the Gazette Notice read.
How to submit
According to the notice, members of the public and affected stakeholders have 14 days to submit written memoranda on the proposed framework. Submissions are to be delivered to the Principal Secretary for Forestry at the State Department of Forestry, SHA Building along Ragati Road in Nairobi, or sent via email to ps@forestry.go.ke, with a copy to forestrysecretary@gmail.com.
Hard copy submissions will be received on weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
“Any person likely to be affected by the proposed regulations may submit a written memorandum to the Principal Secretary for Forestry within fourteen (14) days from the date of this notice,” the Gazette Notice read.
“The written memorandum should be delivered on weekdays and during official working hours from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.”
Senate passing the bill
This comes after the Senate of Kenya passed the Forest Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s legal framework on environmental conservation and forest management.
In a statement shared on Thursday, May 14, 2026, the Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi announced that lawmakers had approved the Forest Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bills No. 38 of 2025) after deliberations in the House.
“These are the results of the vote: the Ayes are 31, the Nays are zero, an abstentions are zero. The Ayes have it,” Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi said.
“A Bill for an Act of Parliament to amend the Forest Conservation and Management Act and for connected purposes.”