The Senate Standing Committee on Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) chaired by Senator Allan Chesang (Trans Nzoia) today considered the stakeholder submission matrix on the Electronic Equipment Disposal, Recycling and Reuse Bill, 2025 (Senate Bills No. 5 of 2025).
The Committee reviewed proposals submitted by key institutions including the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA), the Council of Governors (CoG), WEEE Centre and KICTANet, examining proposed amendments, justifications and recommended resolutions across various clauses of the Bill.
The Bill seeks to establish a legal and institutional framework for the environmentally sound disposal, recycling and reuse of electronic equipment, including the creation of a National E-Waste Recycling Plant, county-level sorting sites and ward-level consolidation centres.
Among the key issues considered were proposals to amend the short and long titles to reflect the full lifecycle of electrical and electronic equipment, including reuse, refurbishment, repair and recovery, in line with the waste hierarchy principle.
The Committee also deliberated on licensing and regulatory mandates, with NEMA proposing that licensing, compliance oversight and classification of e-waste remain under its authority as provided under existing environmental laws.
The Council of Governors raised concerns regarding provisions that may affect devolved functions, particularly in relation to establishment and management of recycling facilities at the county level.
Members further examined recommendations to strengthen Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) provisions by placing primary financial and organisational responsibility for post-consumer e-waste management on producers, in line with the Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations, 2024. Stakeholders emphasized the polluter pays principle as central to sustainable financing of e-waste infrastructure.
KNRA proposed explicit exclusion of radioactive and nuclear-contaminated electronic equipment from the scope of the Bill, noting that such materials must be handled under nuclear safety laws to prevent radiological risk to the public and the environment.
The Committee will continue reviewing stakeholder submissions before preparing its report to the Senate.
Other Senators present during the meeting were Sen. William Kisang (Elgeyo Marakwet), Sen. Beatrice Ogolla (Nominated), and Sen. Abdalla Shakila Mohammed (Nominated).
By Anthony Solly
