Government Documents
This section hosts official government instruments that guide climate governance in Kenya, including laws, policies, strategies, regulations, and notices issued by national and county authorities.
UNFCCC (With Annexes)
1992
UNFCCC (Text)
1992
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)
2006
Nagoya Protocol
2010
Glasgow Climate Pact (COP26)
2021
Convention on Migratory Species (Bonn Convention)
1979
National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) 2013-2017
2013
Kenya's first 5-year plan to implement the NCCRS.
Long-term Low Emissions Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) 2021-2050
2021 • Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry
Provides a long-term vision to guide Kenya's transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient development pathway by 2050, identifying opportunities in key sectors such as energy, transport, and waste.
Kenya Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC)
2015
Kenya's initial pledge to the Paris Agreement outlining climate action targets.
Kenya Second National Communication to the UNFCCC
2015 • NEMA
The second national report detailing GHG inventory, vulnerability, and adaptation and mitigation actions.
Kenya First National Communication to the UNFCCC
2002 • Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources
Kenya's initial communication to the UNFCCC outlining national circumstances and preliminary climate change assessment.
Kenya's Second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)
2020 • Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry
Submits Kenya's updated pledge to the UNFCCC to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 32% by 2030 relative to the business-as-usual scenario, with a focus on adaptation and resilience.
Wajir County Climate Change Fund Act 2016
Vihiga County Climate Change Fund (Amendment) Act 2021
Vihiga County Climate Change Fund Act 2019
Tharaka Nithi County Climate Change Fund Act 2019
Nyeri County Climate Change Act 2021
Narok County Tourism Act 2017
Narok County Climate Change Fund Act 2021
Nakuru County Fire and Rescue Services Act 2016
Nakuru County Climate Change Act 2021
Nakuru County Agricultural Development Fund Act 2014
Mombasa County Health Act 2018
Migori County Lake Region Economic Bloc Act 2019
Meru County Water and Sanitation Services Act 2014
Marsabit County Tourism Act 2016
Marsabit County Health Services Act 2016
Marsabit County Energy Development Act 2016
Marsabit County Climate Change Fund Act 2020
Makueni County Sand Conservation and Utilization Act 2015
Machakos County Climate Change (Amendment) Act 2022
Machakos County Agricultural Development Fund Act2014
Kisumu County Lake Region Economic Bloc Act 2018
Kisii County Science and Technology Park Act 2015
Kericho County Forest Conservation and Management Act 2021
Kericho County Food Security Act 2022
Kericho County Climate Change Act 2021
Kakamega County Trade and Markets Act 2018
Kakamega County Tourism Act
Kakamega County Lake Region Economic Bloc Act 2018
Kakamega County Climate Change Act 2020
Isiolo County Climate Change Fund Act 2018
Embu County Water Act 2015
Embu County Tourism Act 2018
Embu County Environment Management Act 2015
ElgeyoMarakwet County Climate Change Fund Act 2021
Elgeyo Marakwet County Charcoal Act 2017
Busia County Energy Development Act 2017
Transport Sector Climate Change Annual Report
NCCAP 2013-2017
National Climate Change Response Strategy Executive Brief
National Climate Change Response Strategy April 2010
National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) 2018-2022
LTLED Strategy for Kenya 2021-2050 - Final DRAFT FINAL
KENYAS SECOND NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTION 2031_2035
Kenya National Inventory Document
Kenya National Adaptation Plan
Kenya Initial Biennial Update Report
Kenya_INDC_20150723
Kenya 3rd National Communication
Kenya_2nd national communication
Kenya_1st national communication
Biennial Transparency Report
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
UN Fish Stocks Agreement
Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030
Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent (PIC)
Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing
Minamata Convention on Mercury
Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) – Second edition
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)
Global Methane Pledge
Glasgow Climate Pact
Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes
An introduction to Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
African Union Agenda 2063 (Environment and Climate Commitments)
African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (Revised Maputo Convention)
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs)
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 93
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 93.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 85
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 85.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 83
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 83.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 7
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 7.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 77
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 77.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 72
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 72.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 67
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 67.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 66
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 66.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 63
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 63.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 53
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 53.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 47
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 47.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 46
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 46.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 46 (1)
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 46 (1).
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 43
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 43.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 42
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 42.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 36
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 36.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 25
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 25.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 254
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 254.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 246
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 246.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 245
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 245.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 237
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 237.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 231
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 231.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 230
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 230.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 225
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Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 225.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 223
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 223.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 219
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 219.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 215
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 215.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 20
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 20.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 209
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 209.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 208
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 208.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 206
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Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 206.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 200
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Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 200.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 198
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 198.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 195
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 195.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 195 (1)
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 195 (1).
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 192
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 192.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 189
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 189.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 185
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 185.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 178
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 178.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 173
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 173.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 169
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 169.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 165
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 165.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 160
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 160.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 154
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 154.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 151
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Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 151.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 150
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Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 150.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 145
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 145.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 139
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 139.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 138
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 138.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 132
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 132.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 12
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 12.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 125
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 125.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 119
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 119.
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Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 117.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 114
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Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 114.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 113
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Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 113.
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Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 112.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 111
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Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 111.
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Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 110.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 107
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 107.
Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVII No. 101
2025
Official Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXXVII—No. 101.
Geneva Conventions Act
1968
Incorporates international humanitarian principles into Kenyan law. While primarily about conflict, it sets standards for protecting vulnerable populations, increasingly relevant in resource-driven Climate Security contexts.
Constitution of Kenya, 2010
2010
The supreme law of the land, which enshrines the right to a clean and healthy environment as a fundamental human right (Article 42) and obligates the state to sustainably manage natural resources.
Climate Change Act, 2016
2016
The principal legislation governing climate change in Kenya. It establishes the National Climate Change Council, chaired by the President, and mandates the mainstreaming of climate resilience and low-carbon development across all sectors of the economy.
Energy Act, 2019
2019
A comprehensive law consolidating energy regulations to promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, and modern infrastructure. It empowers EPRA and county governments to drive sustainable energy access and development.
Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act, 1999
1999
The foundational framework for environmental governance in Kenya. It established NEMA and mandates Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) to protect Kenya's natural heritage and ensure sustainable private and public development.
Land Act, 2012
2012
Provides the legal regime for the administration and management of public and private land. Crucial for climate adaptation, it regulates sustainable land use and protects fragile ecosystems.
Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019
2019
Regulates the planning, use, and development of land in Kenya. It integrates climate change mitigation and adaptation into spatial planning frameworks for sustainable urban and rural development.
Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013
2013
Ensures the protection and sustainable management of Kenya’s wildlife. It provides mechanisms for wildlife conservation that also support ecosystem based adaptation.
Irrigation Act, 2019
2019
Promotes the development and regulation of irrigation to reduce reliance on rain-fed agriculture, a key adaptation strategy for food security in a changing climate.
Biosafety Act, 2009
2009
Establishes the National Biosafety Authority to regulate GMOs, ensuring the safety of human and animal health while fostering agricultural innovation.
National Drought Management Authority Act, 2016
2016
Establishes the NDMA to coordinate drought risk management. It institutionalizes response mechanisms to protect arid and semi-arid communities from the severe impacts of climate-induced drought.
Health Act, 2017
2017
Unifies the national health system. Increasingly relevant to climate action as it addresses environmental health risks and the spread of climate-sensitive diseases.
Tourism Act, 2011
2011
Regulates the tourism sector, emphasizing sustainable tourism practices that protect Kenya’s biodiversity and natural landscapes, which are vital for the industry.
Seeds and Plant Varieties Act
2012
Regulates seed certification and plant variety protection. Essential for introducing drought-tolerant and disease-resistant crop varieties to adapt to climate change.
Environment and Land Court Act, 2011
2011
Operationalizes a specialized superior court dedicated to hearing and determining disputes relating to the environment and land use, ensuring environmental justice.
County Governments Additional Allocations Act, 2020
2020
Provides the legal basis for transferring conditional grants and loans to County Governments, including funds for climate-related projects and development.
County Governments Additional Allocations Act, 2023
2023
The 2023 update for county fund allocations, ensuring continued financial support for devolved functions including local climate action plans.
National Government Constituencies Development Fund Act, 2015
2015
Governs the management of the NG-CDF, a key decentralized fund that can be leveraged for community-level environmental conservation and project funding.
National Government Constituencies Development Fund (Amendment) Act, 2023
2023
Amendments to the NG-CDF Act to streamline operations and enhance accountability in the usage of constituency development funds.
Land Laws (Amendment) Act, 2016
2016
Amends various land laws to address historical injustices, streamline registration, and improve the efficiency of land management in Kenya.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
1994
The foundational international treaty on climate change. It establishes the global framework for intergovernmental efforts to tackle the challenge posed by climate change.
Paris Agreement
2016
A legally binding international treaty on climate change. Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Kyoto Protocol
2005
An international agreement linked to the UNFCCC, which commits its Parties by setting internationally binding emission reduction targets.
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
1996
The sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management.
Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer
1988
A framework for international efforts to protect the ozone layer. Along with the Montreal Protocol, it has been instrumental in phasing out ozone-depleting substances.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
1993
A multilateral treaty dedicated to the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits.
World Heritage Convention (UNESCO)
1972
Created to identify and protect the world's natural and cultural heritage considered to be of outstanding universal value.
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Environmental Protocol)
2008
Promotes, protects and ensures the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by persons with disabilities, including in climate contexts.
About Kenya's Climate Legislation
Kenya is recognized as a leader in climate legislation in Africa. The Climate Change Act 2016 was one of the first comprehensive climate laws on the continent, establishing a robust institutional framework including the National Climate Change Council, the Climate Change Directorate, and dedicated climate funds at both national and county levels.