CSOs Say Environmental Assessment Needed for Affordable Housing Bill,2023
The National Environment Civil Society Alliance of Kenya (NECSA Kenya) has reviewed and submitted a memorandum to the Affordable Housing Bill, 2023, strongly recommending the proposed law be subjected to a strategic environmental assessment.
“Infrastructure development places immense pressure on the environment due to the demand for natural resources such as water, sand, land, timber, and quarry stones to mention a few. The Bill should be taken through a strategic environmental assessment (SEA), to determine the probable impact of the Affordable Housing programme on communities and the environment,” said Dr. Dominic Walubengo — Chairman, NECSA Kenya.
Dr Walubengo also recommended the expansion of the proposed Board that will manage the Affordable Housing Programme to include marginalized and vulnerable groups and representation of key ministries such as the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry.
Further, NECSA Kenya called for the affordable housing programme to consider integrating circular economy, green energy sources, energy-efficient technologies and sustainable waste management systems into the buildings’ design.
WWF-Kenya, under the Africa Sustainable Investment and Infrastructure Programe, facilitated the NECSA workshop that brought together its members to review the draft law.
“Infrastructure investment is a key tool for improving productivity, stimulating economic growth, generating decent jobs, addressing inequalities and building resilience. But infrastructure will only deliver on these objectives if sustainability is embedded as its core, thus increasing society’s resilience while reducing climate risk,” said Sumaya Mohammed, Programme Coordinator, Africa Sustainable Investment and Infrastructure Programme.
The alliance, which brings together over 100 civil society organizations, submitted the memorandum to the proposed law to the National Assembly on Monday, 29 January 2024.
“The key principles for social investment such as the housing programmes is ensuring that strategic planning aligns with infrastructure policies, global sustainable development agenda and the realization of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework,” said Ms Mohammed.
By Faith Jelagat, WWF-Kenya
