The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has challenged industries across Kenya to strengthen partnerships in environmental conservation, saying sustainable industrial growth must go hand in hand with pollution prevention and the protection of natural resources.

Speaking during the Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) Awards 2026 held at a Nairobi hotel, NEMA Director General Dr. Mamo B. Mamo, EBS, said industries have a critical role to play in safeguarding the environment while driving economic growth.

In remarks delivered on his behalf by Director of Environmental Compliance David Ong'are, Dr. Mamo emphasized that NEMA is committed to supporting industries to thrive in a clean, safe, and healthy environment as guaranteed under the Constitution.

He noted that industrial production should embrace measurable pollution prevention strategies, particularly those aimed at protecting Kenya's water sources from contamination.

"We want industries to prosper, but this growth must be achieved in a clean and healthy environment. Environmental protection and economic development are not competing priorities—they complement each other," he said.

The Director General further called for stronger collaboration between government agencies, manufacturers, and environmental stakeholders to promote sustainable production practices that reduce waste, conserve resources, and enhance environmental compliance.

The annual RECP Awards recognize industries and institutions that have demonstrated exceptional leadership in reducing pollution, improving operational efficiency, conserving natural resources, and enhancing competitiveness while supporting the restoration of the Nairobi Rivers Basin.

Organizers said the awards celebrate companies that have embraced cleaner production technologies and sustainable manufacturing processes, proving that environmental stewardship can drive innovation, lower operational costs, and improve business performance.

This year's competition attracted several leading manufacturers, with L'Oréal Interbeauty emerging as the overall winner for its outstanding commitment to resource efficiency and cleaner production.

Other top performers included UltraVetis East Africa, which was named the second runners-up, while Premier Industries Ltd finished as the third runners-up.

The ceremony was organized by the Kenya National Cleaner Production Centre (KNCPC), which continues to champion sustainable industrial development by encouraging businesses to adopt environmentally responsible production systems.

Environmental experts at the event noted that cleaner production initiatives are becoming increasingly important as Kenya seeks to balance industrial expansion with climate action, pollution control, and the sustainable management of natural resources.

The RECP Awards have become a key platform for recognizing industries that are setting the pace in green manufacturing and demonstrating that profitability and environmental responsibility can successfully go hand in hand.