The National Assembly has invited the public to submit their views on the government's intention to grant tax and legal privileges to the Global Centre for Adaptation (GCA).
GCA is an international organisation that has partnered with the government to accelerate climate adaptation in the country. The organisation's headquarters are based in Rotterdam, Netherlands, but it has a regional office in Nairobi.
The Privileges and Immunities (Global Centre for Adaptation) Order, 2025, seeks to grant privileges and immunities to GCA, which is partnering with the government to accelerate climate adaptation.
In a notice on Wednesday, June 9, the clerk of the National Assembly, Samuel Njoroge, claimed that the government has the intent to grant immunity to the organisation, its director, officials, and staff under the Privileges and Immunities Act.
"The Privileges and Immunities (Global Centre for Adaptation) Order, 2025, indicates that the Government of Kenya has entered into an Agreement for cooperation with the Global Centre for Adaptation (GCA), an international organisation established with the aim of accelerating adaptation action and supporting climate adaptation solutions," the notice states.
According to Njoroge, the order was officially introduced in the National Assembly on June 4th, 2025, and is now being reviewed by the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry, and Mining.
If granted, the organisation will be immune from lawsuits and legal processes, exempt from paying local taxes, except for imported goods and those purchased for official use or export. Additionally, no one will be allowed to search or seize its premises and official records.
The director, officials, and employees of the organisation, however, will likewise be exempt from legal proceedings and income tax on their compensation. In addition, they will be able to operate without the need for work permits, be exempt from national service requirements, and enjoy the same currency as diplomats.
The staff from the organisation will also have the privilege of emergency evacuation support during a crisis, and duty-free imports for their items.
The public has therefore been encouraged to submit their views on the order to the Departmental Committee of Environment, Forestry and Mining, before Wednesday, July 23.
According to Njoroge, the public should, in the memorandum, address him through P.O. Box 41842-00100, Nairobi, and hand-deliver to his office, or email through the parliament's official email before the deadline.
"The full text of the privileges and immunities (Global Centre for Adaptation) Order, 2025, and the accompanying explanatory memorandum may be accessed through the parliament's official website," the notice read.
