NECC Establishment

The National Environmental Complaints Committee (NECC) was established under Section 31 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act, 1999. It was formerly known as the Public Complaints Committee (PCC) but its name changed in the EMCA (Amendment) No. 5 of 2015). It is an important institution in the assessment of the condition of the environment in Kenya. It plays an important role in the facilitation of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms relating to environmental matters. The NECC makes recommendations to the Cabinet Secretary and thus contributes significantly to the formulation and development of environmental policy.

The membership of NECC is drawn from key stakeholders in environmental management. The Committee consists of seven members headed by a Chairperson, who is appointed by the Cabinet Secretary and qualifies to be a judge of the Environment and Land Court of Kenya. Other members are; a representative of the Attorney General, a representative of the Law Society of Kenya, one person who has demonstrated competence in environmental matters to be nominated by the Council of Governors and who is the Secretary to the Committee, a representative of the business community and two members, appointed by the Cabinet Secretary for their active role in environmental management.

In its core mandate, NECC has conducted investigations in various parts of the country and has rendered solutions by way of recommendations to environmental issues unique to each particular region. With the assistance and intervention of NECC, members of the public have identified and implemented local solutions to a great number of environmental complaints.

The NECC’s role has been enhanced under the revised EMCA 1999 to deal with environmental matters robustly. Thus, in the course of its work across the country, NECC has investigated several environmental complaints as contained in this report. This report covers nationwide investigations. The Committee hopes that the suggested recommendations will be implemented to resolve these complaints to provide a clean and healthy environment to all.