The government has drafted a law that will regulate the import, export and use of goods and technologies that could be diverted to the production of weapons of mass destruction.

The Strategic Goods Control Bill, 2025 is expected strengthen the national security by curbing the threats posed by chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials.

The Bill proposes the establishment of a licensing system for handling strategic and dual-use goods, enhanced regulation of brokers and intermediaries, including those operating in digital spaces, and introduces strong enforcement mechanisms with severe penalties for violations.

It also covers digital transmissions such as software and technical data that could be used in the development of WMDs, thereby aligning Kenya’s legal framework with evolving threats in modern warfare and terrorism.

Collaborative efforts

Internal Security Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo led an awareness forum in Naivasha convened by the Senate Standing Committees, also attended by senators, senior government officials, representatives from the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA), and US Embassy officials in Nairobi.

“The Bill is the culmination of more than a decade of collaborative national and international efforts aimed at curbing the threats posed by chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials,” the PS said.

He added: “It is a vital step toward meeting Kenya’s international obligations under key global treaties, including the Chemical Weapons Convention, the Biological Weapons Convention, and the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540.”

The PS noted that Kenya’s strategic position as a regional trade and transit hub places a significant responsibility on the country to ensure that its borders and digital spaces are not exploited for illicit trafficking of sensitive materials.

“Tragedies like the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombing and the 2012 explosion on Moi Avenue in Nairobi are painful reminders of what can happen when dangerous materials fall into the wrong hands,” the PS said.

According to the PS, the passage of the Bill will not only reinforce national and regional security but will also improve investor confidence and position Kenya as a leader in strategic trade controls on the African continent, alongside countries like South Africa and Morocco.

The Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority Director General, James Keter, has said that the Bill will provide the necessary legal framework for overseeing all stages in the lifecycle of strategic goods,from manufacturing and storage to export and trans-shipment.

“The legislation will enable Kenya to fully operationalize United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540 and meet its international commitments. The dual-use goods, those with both civilian and military applications, are becoming increasingly common due to technological advances, and the country must stay ahead of the curve through robust laws,” the DG said.

Kenya has already laid a legislative foundation through laws such as the Nuclear Regulatory Act, the Pest Control Products Act, the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), the Environment Management and Coordination Act, and the Explosives Act.

Clear timelines

The Strategic Goods Control Bill is designed to complement and strengthen this existing framework, while giving effect to Article 2(6) of the Constitution, which incorporates ratified international treaties into Kenyan law.

Senator Fatuma Dullo, the Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations has also said the Bill is urgent and should be enacted.

She called for clear timelines, staffing structures, and a coordinated implementation strategy. There should also be deeper public participation, especially in Northern Kenya where ommunities are often vulnerable to cross-border security threats.

“The local populations should understand the purpose and protections offered by the proposed laws.

The meeting was attended by Senators Allan Chesang, Jackson Mandago, and Boy Juma,Chairs of the ICT, Health, and Trade Committees respectively, alongside Ms. Carla Benini, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, and several members of the Senate.