Kenya Accelerates Shift to Circular Economy as PS Ng’eno Meets KEPSA on New National Strategy

The government is fast-tracking the development of a national Circular Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan (CESIP) to move Kenya away from the traditional “take-make-dispose” model toward a more sustainable system that maximises resource efficiency and minimises waste.

Environment and Climate Change Principal Secretary Dr. Eng. Festus Ng’eno received a delegation from the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) during a courtesy visit focused on advancing the CESIP framework. The strategy seeks to promote reuse, recycling, repair, and upcycling across key sectors.

Dr. Ng’eno welcomed the partnership, describing circular economy principles as a vital pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and the State Department’s Strategic Plan 2023–2027. He said adopting circular approaches will tackle pollution and waste challenges while creating new economic opportunities.

“Adopting circular approaches will not only address environmental challenges such as pollution and waste management but also unlock economic opportunities, including job creation and green investment,” Dr. Ng’eno stated.

Seven-Month Development Timeline

The KEPSA team briefed the PS on the CESIP development process, which will run for seven months from April to November 2026. The initiative receives technical support from the Finnish Innovation Fund (Sitra) through the European Circular Economy Resource Centre. KEPSA is working in consortium with Intellecap Advisory Services.

The framework will guide policy actions and investments in priority areas such as plastics, agriculture waste, textiles, e-waste, and construction. Officials expect it to strengthen sustainable waste management and align with the National Sustainable Waste Management Policy.

Dr. Ng’eno emphasised the need for inclusive stakeholder engagement to ensure the strategy delivers practical solutions for businesses, communities, and the environment. He called for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector to drive implementation.

Linking Environment and Economic Growth

The circular economy push supports broader goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, creating green jobs, and building climate resilience. By turning waste into resources, Kenya aims to cut reliance on imports, lower pollution levels, and stimulate new industries in recycling and value addition.

KEPSA has been active in promoting circular practices, including support for thousands of MSMEs through green economy programmes. The alliance sees CESIP as a roadmap that can help businesses adopt sustainable models while contributing to national development targets.

The meeting reflects growing momentum in Kenya’s circular economy agenda. Recent discussions have highlighted the potential to generate jobs and wealth by shifting waste management practices, especially as the country grapples with poorly managed waste streams.

Dr. Ng’eno assured the delegation of the State Department’s full support for an expedited and inclusive process. He urged continuous engagement with other stakeholders, including county governments and development partners, to ensure the final strategy is robust and actionable.

As work on CESIP begins in earnest, both government and private sector leaders expressed optimism that the framework will position Kenya as a regional leader in sustainable resource management and green growth. The plan is expected to deliver measurable gains in environmental protection and economic transformation by the end of the decade.