The Government of Kenya has intensified efforts to safeguard national security through the proposed Strategic Goods Control Bill, 2025, a landmark legislative framework aimed at regulating sensitive goods and technologies that could be misused to produce weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).
The Bill was the centerpiece of a high-level awareness forum convened in Naivasha by Senate Standing Committees. The event brought together senators, senior government officials, the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA), and development partners, including the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.
Presiding over the forum on behalf of Interior Cabinet Secretary. Kipchumba Murkomen, Dr. Raymond Omollo, Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, described the Bill as a culmination of over a decade of collaborative national and international efforts to address threats posed by chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) materials.
Dr. Omollo stressed that the legislation aligns Kenya with international commitments under treaties such as the Chemical Weapons Convention, Biological Weapons Convention, and UN Security Council Resolution 1540. He highlighted Kenya’s role as a regional trade and transit hub, warning of the potential for exploitation of its borders and digital spaces by illicit actors.
Citing the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombing and the 2012 Moi Avenue explosion, Dr. Omollo underscored the urgency of robust control mechanisms. The proposed Bill includes a strict licensing system, regulation of brokers (including those in digital environments), and severe penalties for violations. It also covers digital transmissions like software and technical data that could aid in WMD development.
KNRA Director General James Keter echoed these sentiments, noting that the legislation will provide a comprehensive legal framework for managing strategic goods throughout their lifecycle. He emphasized the importance of proactive legislation in addressing the growing threat of dual-use technologies.
The Bill is designed to complement existing legislation, including the Nuclear Regulatory Act, Prevention of Terrorism Act, and Environment Management and Coordination Act, while giving effect to Article 2(6) of Kenya’s Constitution, which integrates international treaties into domestic law.
Senator Fatuma Dullo, Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations, voiced strong support for the Bill, urging clear timelines, proper staffing, and a coordinated implementation strategy. She emphasized the need for deeper public participation, particularly in Northern Kenya, where communities face cross-border security threats.
Other key attendees included Senators Allan Chesang, Jackson Mandago, and Boy Juma, as well as Ms. Carla Benini, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.
The Strategic Goods Control Bill is expected to reinforce Kenya’s national and regional security posture, enhance investor confidence, and position the country as a continental leader in strategic trade controls.
Written By Rodney Mbua.
