The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has directed all businesses with pending environmental applications to contact respective offices where their submissions were made to ensure technical review processes are completed by September 30, 2025.
In a notice issued on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, NEMA announced that failure to comply with the directive would result in the Authority proceeding to make Records of Decision based on submitted documents and available records for these applications.
The directive affects all clients with pending applications for licenses, permits, approvals, and registration certificates under the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) Cap 387 and subsidiary regulations.
"This is to notify the esteemed clients of NEMA being applicants for licenses, permits, approvals, and registration certificates pursuant to the requirements provided for under the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) CAP 387," the notice stated.
The Authority emphasized that unsuccessful applicants will be required to submit fresh applications in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act.
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The directive comes approximately two months after NEMA launched new digital systems to modernize environmental approvals and streamline processes.
The Authority introduced the integrated Environment Information Management System (ENViS) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System in July 2025, promising improved service delivery and enhanced compliance monitoring.
The new systems were designed to enable efficient service delivery and support ease of business by allowing public access to all NEMA online services. Additionally, the platform was intended to facilitate integration with other lead agencies for coordinated sectoral reviews and provide real-time information sharing for informed decision-making.
However, the implementation has faced significant challenges. Environmental professionals, through the Environmental Institute of Kenya (EIK), have reported that the ENViS system has experienced operational difficulties that have severely affected their work processes.
According to industry feedback, the system rollout was conducted without adequate consultation with environmental experts and relevant stakeholders. Critics have pointed to the absence of proper piloting or phased testing, which could have identified operational gaps before full implementation.
The rushed deployment has reportedly left many users struggling to navigate the platform effectively, with concerns about the lack of technical and user capacity assessments before launch. Environmental professionals have described the current system as incomplete and inadequately tested, raising questions about its ability to fulfill its intended mandate.
