The Constitution of Kenya, 2010 vests the ownership of natural resources including hydrocarbons and minerals in the national government in trust for the people of Kenya. The Constitution also establishes several principles which are applied in petroleum and mining. The Ministry of Petroleum and Mining in consultation with stakeholders is responsible for developing and implementing policies and laws esposusing applicable constitutional principles, best industry practice, among others. This is done with the objective of promoting sustainable development of the extractives sector.
The following are the existing principal policies and laws governing petroleum and mining in Kenya:
A National Petroleum Policy and other regulations under the Petroleum Act and Mining Act are currently being developed by the Ministry in consultation with stakeholders.