What are the legal requirements for drilling a borehole in Kenya?

Several regulatory approvals apply:

  • You must obtain a permit from the Water Resources Authority (WRA) for groundwater abstraction.

  • In many cases you require an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and approval from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).

  • Local county governments may also require “no objection” letters, site clearance, and additional permits.
    Failure to comply can lead to penalties or being required to seal the borehole.