NEMA Kenya in partnership with United Platform Solutions (UPS), has developed the Kenya Online Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (KOCEMS)—a landmark initiative that introduces a new era of digital environmental regulation and real-time pollution monitoring in Kenya.
KOCEMS was unveiled on 11th March, 2026 in an event presided by the CS Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Deborah Barasa, EGH accompanied by NEMA’s Mr. David Ong’are, Director Environmental Compliance representing the Director General.
While making her key note address, the CS stated that air pollution remains a major environmental and public health challenge across Africa, contributing to over 1.1 million premature deaths annually.
She underscored that the introduction of this system represents a major step in not only strengthening environmental compliance and enforcement but also supporting evidence based policy decision making which will enhance the protection of public health and the environment. The CS encouraged all regulated facilities to work closely with NEMA and the UPS to ensure the successful implementation of the program. She implied that Kenya continues to demonstrate leadership in environmental governance. The deployment of this system contributes to the implementation of resolutions adopted by the United Nations Environment Assembly calling for stronger action to address air pollution and enhance emissions monitoring and reporting.
The statement by NEMA DG Dr. Mamo B. Mamo, EBS indicated that the initiative is anchored in Regulation 59 of the Environmental Management and Coordination (Air Quality) Regulations, 2024, which require regulated facilities to install a web-based Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) which shall transmit real time emissions data to the Authority. He added that CEMS are essential, technology-driven solutions that will be utilized by industries to monitor, record, and report in real-time the pollutant levels emitted and discharged into the environment. The ultimate goal is to promote self-regulation and compliance to the requirments of environmental laws and regulations.
Through the system, NEMA will have 24/7 real-time visibility into emissions from factories, power plants, cement plants, refineries, and other industrial facilities across the country. The system uses AI-enabled analytics and IoT-based emissions sensors installed at industrial facilities to continuously track emissions data and transmit it to a centralized environmental monitoring platform.
The system will allow the Authority to measure and analyze real-time data on air, water and noise pollution throughout the country.
With real-time digital monitoring, NEMA Kenya will be able to:
- Detect environmental violations instantly and take immediate enforcement action
- Monitor industrial pollution continuously across the country
- Maintain a real-time national emissions inventory for policy and climate reporting
- Improve regulatory transparency and eliminate data manipulation
- Enable faster decision-making and environmental protection
- Support Kenya’s climate commitments and emissions reduction targets
By combining advanced sensors, artificial intelligence, and environmental data analytics, KOCEMS provides a powerful digital infrastructure that will support evidence-based environmental regulation for decades to come.
