Kenya’s NEMA Proposes Aggressive E-Waste Regulations Mandating Manufacturer Responsibility Amid Rising Private Sector Cost Concerns

Kenya's NEMA moves to enforce the 2025 E-Waste Regulations, requiring producers to manage product disposal amid warnings of increased costs for businesses.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 4:44 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Star

A New Regulatory Framework for Technological Disposal

The National Environment Management Authority, NEMA, has initiated a decisive legislative push to address the growing environmental crisis of electronic waste within Kenya. Under the proposed Draft Electrical and Electronic Waste Management Regulations, 2025, the authority intends to enforce an Extended Producer Responsibility, or EPR, framework that shifts the burden of waste management from the public sector to the private sector. This mandate requires all manufacturers, importers, and distributors of electronic equipment to register with NEMA and take full responsibility for the collection, transportation, and safe disposal of their products at the end of their operational lifespan.

Combatting the Surge of Digital Refuse

NEMA Director General Mamo B. Mamo has emphasized that the rapid pace of technological advancement is fueling a global and local surge in e-waste that current systems cannot manage. The new rules are specifically designed to prevent "cherry-picking," a practice where recyclers only process high-value materials while abandoning hazardous components in informal dumpsites. By compelling producers to fund licensed recyclers or establish dedicated collection centers, the authority seeks to create a closed-loop system for household appliances, ICT hardware, and medical devices, ensuring that toxic materials do not contaminate the local ecosystem.

The Economic Burden of Environmental Compliance

While the environmental objectives are clear, the Shippers Council of Eastern Africa and other logistics stakeholders have voiced significant concerns regarding the rising costs of doing business. Industry leaders argue that while environmental protection is essential, the cumulative impact of registration fees and recycling levies is becoming a financial burden. According to SCEA Chief Executive Agayo Ogambi, there is an urgent need for the government to address the escalating charges associated with these environmental mandates, as they threaten the thin margins of importers and exporters operating within the East African corridor.