NEMA issues 2-week ultimatum on businesses with pending licence applications

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has issued a two-week ultimatum to all businesses with pending licence applications, requiring them to follow up immediately at their respective application centres.

In a notice published on Wednesday, 17 September 2025, on X, the authority said the follow-up is meant to ensure all pending applications undergo technical review to pave the way for a Record of Decision (RoD).

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A Record of Decision is the official statement NEMA issues after reviewing a project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), indicating whether the project is approved or rejected.

“NEMA, therefore, wishes to inform all clients with pending applications which were submitted before 1st August 2025 to contact respective NEMA offices where submissions were made to ensure all the pending technical review issues are addressed,” the notice read.

Fresh applications needed

The Authority warned that applications not addressed by the 30 September deadline will be considered based on the documents already submitted.

“Failure to comply with the above, the Authority will proceed to make the Record of Decision based on the submitted documents and all available records to bring to a close these applications received at NEMA prior to 1st August 2025,” NEMA stated

Applicants whose submissions are incomplete or unresolved will be required to reapply under the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA), Cap 387, and related regulations.

This directive follows the launch of NEMA’s Integrated Environment Information Management System (ENVIS) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System in July 2025.

The directive comes months after the Environmental Institute of Kenya criticised NEMA for rolling out the systems without adequate public consultation, arguing that the move could complicate bureaucracy instead of reducing it.

The authority has urged business entities to act swiftly to avoid having to start the application process anew.