Kenya unveils new law to regulate dangerous goods, boost security

Kenya is pushing forward a new law to enhance national security and curb the misuse of sensitive goods and technologies, particularly those that could be used to develop weapons of mass destruction.

The Strategic Goods Control Bill, 2025, aims to regulate the import, export, and movement of strategic goods, including digital transmissions like software and technical data.

The Bill proposes strict licensing requirements and enforcement mechanisms for handling dual-use items—goods that can serve both civilian and military purposes.

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, who represented Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen at a high-level awareness forum in Naivasha on Friday, said the legislation represents more than ten years of collaboration among local and international stakeholders to confront threats linked to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials.

"This Bill is the result of extensive efforts to deal with serious security risks posed by these dangerous materials," Omollo said at the event organized by Senate standing committees and attended by senators, government officials, Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority representatives, and development partners, including the US Embassy in Nairobi.

He explained that Kenya’s growing role as a regional trade and transport hub demands stronger safeguards to ensure its borders and digital platforms are not misused for illegal activities.

The proposed law includes a licensing system to control those handling strategic goods, including brokers and intermediaries operating in both physical and digital markets.

It sets out strict penalties for violations and strengthens oversight of software and data transmissions that can be exploited in modern warfare and terrorist activities.

Omollo emphasized that Kenya’s efforts are aligned with global frameworks such as the Chemical Weapons Convention, the Biological Weapons Convention, and the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540.

"Our experience with events like the 1998 US Embassy bombing and the 2012 Moi Avenue explosion reminds us of the danger when such materials are not tightly regulated," he said.

The Bill seeks to provide tools for early detection, prevention, and punishment of unlawful dealings in sensitive materials and technology.

It also positions Kenya to meet international security obligations and improve its standing among global and regional partners.

According to Omollo, the legislation will not only secure the country but also support its economic growth by boosting investor confidence and placing Kenya alongside countries like South Africa and Morocco in matters of strategic trade controls.

James Keter, Director General of the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority, said the new law will give Kenya the legal power to monitor every stage of strategic goods, from production and storage to export and trans-shipment.

"This Bill will help Kenya to fully meet its global commitments under UNSCR 1540," Keter said.

He added that a clear legal framework is essential to ensuring responsible handling of sensitive materials and technology, especially in a time when threats are evolving rapidly.

The awareness forum in Naivasha was part of efforts to educate policymakers and development partners on the urgency and scope of the new legislation.

Those present were told that successful implementation of the Bill would make Kenya more secure and better prepared to detect and counter threats from dangerous materials, both physically and online.

Omollo concluded that the Bill’s passage would help Kenya set an example for other African countries looking to strengthen their strategic goods control systems and meet international standards.