Acts and Legal Frameworks
This page provides the primary legal instruments that establish Kenya’s climate and environmental governance structures, define institutional mandates, and set the legal basis for climate action, compliance, and accountability.
Showing 20 documents
Geneva Conventions Act
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Amendments to the NG-CDF Act to streamline operations and enhance accountability in the usage of constituency development funds.
Land Laws (Amendment) Act, 2016
Amends various land laws to address historical injustices, streamline registration, and improve the efficiency of land management in Kenya.