About Us

Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA) is a public entity established under Section 5 of the Nuclear Regulatory Act No. 29 of 2019, which commenced on 10^th January 2020, to provide protection of persons, property and the environment against the harmful effects of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation through the establishment of a system of regulatory control.

KNRA is a successor of the former Radiation Protection Board (RPB), which was founded in 1986. Powers and responsibilities of the former RPB are now vested with KNRA under expanded regulatory scope. The Nuclear Regulatory Act No. 29 of 2019 gives KNRA powers to grant, amend and revoke authorisations, and to impose such conditions upon authorisation holders as it deems necessary.

The first radiation protection law in Kenya, then a colony and protectorate of the United Kingdom, was passed in 1948. This law, referred to as the “Radiation Protection Ordinance-1948” established a Radiological Protection Board composed of the Director of Medical Services as Chairperson, the Chief Radiologist and one medical specialist as members. On 29^th December, 1982, the Parliament passes the Radiation Protection Act (Cap 243 of the Laws of Kenya) which came into force on 1^st November, 1984, followed by the establishment of the Radiation Protection Board on 25th November, 1986 under the Ministry of Health.

The current legislation establishing the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority was enacted by the National Assembly on 27^th December 2019 and came into force on 10^th January, 2020.