COMESA and the Government of Kenya launched the first-ever Compendium of Environment Statistics for Kenya, on 20 March 2025, a vital resource that consolidates key data on environmental conditions, natural resource use, waste management, disasters, human settlements, and environmental policies.
Developed by COMESA through its EU-funded Eleventh European Development Fund (EDF-11) Institutional Capacity Building Program (ICBP), the compendium addresses the critical need for reliable environmental statistics.
With this resource, the Kenyan government, businesses, researchers, and civil society can now develop more effective climate action plans, implement science-driven policies, monitor progress toward environmental commitments, and enhance transparency in governance.
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) was the lead agency in this initiative.
COMESA Secretary General, Chileshe Kapwepwe, hailed the compendium as more than just a collection of data—it is a pivotal tool for sustainable development, evidence-based policymaking, and proactive climate action.
“This initiative is about more than just producing a report. It is about fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making that will shape Kenya’s environmental policies for years to come,” she said in a statement delivered by Ms. Mshuka Kamwela, COMESA-EDF Programme Manager.
The compendium goes beyond raw statistics, providing insights into trends, patterns, and emerging threats that require urgent action. Its methodologies can serve as a model for other countries in the region striving to enhance environmental data collection and analysis.
The environmental statistics in the compendium will play a key role in assessing biodiversity loss to guide conservation efforts and protect endangered species and fragile ecosystems, monitoring air and water quality to enable timely interventions that safeguard public health and promote sustainability.
Dr. Daniel Amanja, Chair of the KNBS Board, who officially launched the report, emphasized that the compendium’s impact will be felt in the practical application of environmental statistics for a greener and more sustainable future.
KNBS Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Macdonald Obudho, underscored its significance, stating: “This report is directly relevant to our lives—the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the places we live.”
Peter Nielson, representing Statistics Sweden, a key collaborating partner, advocated for more frequent production of environmental statistics to keep pace with climate changes.
This launch marks a significant step forward in strengthening Kenya’s environmental data framework, supporting informed decision-making, and fostering a sustainable future.