Environment Principal Secretary Festus Ng’eno is facing possible removal from office after lawmakers accused him of defying Parliament over the delayed removal of asbestos roofing from public institutions.
The National Assembly Implementation Committee has summoned Ng’eno to explain why a parliamentary directive requiring the hazardous roofing material to be removed from schools, hospitals and other public facilities has not been implemented.
The committee, chaired by Budalangi MP Raphael Wanjala, took the decision after the PS informed lawmakers that he would not attend a scheduled meeting on the matter.
Wanjala said Ng’eno must appear in person and account for the failure to implement the House resolution, warning that continued absence could lead to punitive action.
“This committee directs that the PS to appear before the committee to give us why he has not implemented the house resolutions directives and recommendations,” Wanjala said.
The MPs expressed concern that asbestos remains in public facilities despite the health dangers associated with prolonged exposure to its fibres.
Mandera South MP Abdul Ebrahim Haro said Ng’eno’s absence was unacceptable, noting that NEMA Director-General Mamo Mamo was the only invited official who appeared before the committee.
“Only DG NEMA, Mamo Mamo has honoured the invitation before this house and the engine to implement the resolution is not here. It's unfair before this house and Mr. Ng'eno should and must obey the calling of this honourable house,” Haro said.
Njoro MP Charity Kathambi also criticised the PS, saying the government could not ignore the health concerns linked to asbestos while responsible officials remained in their offices.
“People are falling sick, the PS is in the office sitting? This is a big joke, and the PS must be serious,” Kathambi said.
Wanjala warned that failure to honour the summons could result in Ng’eno being arrested and brought before the committee.
“Even in Budalangi, there are hospitals with this asbestos, and we need the PS here to tell us why. We need to protect Kenya; we need to protect the country,” he said.
He added: “If he fails to appear, there will be forced arrests and he should be brought before us to explain.”
The confrontation comes months before the October 2026 deadline set for the removal of asbestos from public institutions. A report by the Committee on Public Petitions recommended that all stakeholders complete the exercise within one year of its tabling in Parliament, with NEMA tasked with overseeing the process.
The committee now wants the Environment department to explain how many institutions have been identified, what action has been taken to remove the roofing and how the hazardous material will be safely disposed of.
The standoff also involves Public Health and Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, who failed to appear before the committee alongside other officials.
Asbestos was widely used in construction because of its durability, but exposure to its fibres has been linked to serious illnesses, including lung cancer and mesothelioma.
With the October deadline approaching, lawmakers have warned that written explanations will not replace personal accountability, putting Ng’eno’s next appearance before Parliament under close scrutiny.