Kenya is taking a significant step toward bolstering its national security with the introduction of the Strategic Goods Control Bill, 2025. The bill aims to regulate the import, export, and transit of sensitive goods and technologies that could potentially be diverted for the production of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). Interior Principal Secretary, Dr. Raymond Omollo, emphasized that this legislation marks the culmination of over a decade of collaborative national and international efforts to combat the global threats posed by chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials.
The proposed law is critical in ensuring Kenya meets its international obligations under treaties like the Chemical Weapons Convention, Biological Weapons Convention, and the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540. Omollo highlighted Kenya’s strategic position as a regional trade and transit hub, noting that it is vital to safeguard the country’s borders and digital spaces from the illicit trafficking of dangerous materials.
The Bill will establish a licensing system for the handling of strategic and dual-use goods, introduce stringent regulations for brokers and intermediaries—including those operating digitally—and enforce severe penalties for violations. The law also addresses digital transmissions, such as software and technical data, that could contribute to the development of WMDs, thus adapting Kenya’s legal framework to evolving modern threats.
Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority Director General, James Keter, emphasized the bill’s role in providing a legal framework for overseeing all stages of strategic goods, from manufacturing to export. The law also complements existing regulations, including the Nuclear Regulatory Act and the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and aligns with Kenya’s constitutional commitments to international treaties.
Senator Fatuma Dullo, Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations, welcomed the Bill and urged for swift implementation, particularly through public participation, especially in areas like Northern Kenya, which are prone to cross-border security threats. The Strategic Goods Control Bill is poised to strengthen both Kenya’s security and its position as a leader in strategic trade controls across Africa.
