The Ministry of Interior and National Administration has released the Draft Strategic Goods Control Bill 2024, aimed at regulating trade in strategic goods, technology, and related services.
In a notice, the ministry announced that it was seeking public input on the proposed legislation through a 21-day public participation exercise, scheduled for the period between August 13 to September 10, 2024.
“The draft bill is ready for public participation and scrutiny for purposes of informing its review,” reads the notice in part.
The bill aims to strike a balance between trade and security while fulfilling Kenya’s commitments under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540, which addresses the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Additionally, the bill seeks to domesticate various other international treaties such as the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty, Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Regulatory Measures Outlined in the Bill
To achieve its objectives, the bill outlines measures for controlling the export, import, re-export, transit, and trans-shipment of strategic goods, as well as related information and technology.
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This is intended to prevent the misuse of these goods while promoting legitimate trade and enhancing both national and regional security.
“The SGC Bill thus aims at controlling export, import, re-export, transit and trans-shipment of strategic goods and related information and technology, for purposes of ensuring that strategic goods are not diverted and utilized for non-peaceful uses,” read the notice.
The Ministry notes that this will be achieved by:
- Facilitating legitimate trade
- Enhancing national and regional security
- Promoting non-proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs)
- Standardizing and harmonizing regional trade
- Fulfilling Kenya’s international commitments
- Enhancing of foreign policy interests
In line with the Constitutional requirement on public participation, stakeholders and members of the public have been encouraged to review the draft Bill and submit their written views.
How Kenyans Can Submit Their Views on the Strategic Goods Control Bill
Submissions can be sent via mail to the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration using the following address, P.O. Box 30510-00100 Nairobi.
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Alternatively, they can also be hand-delivered to a dedicated Mailbox at the Harambee House offices in Nairobi.
“Hand delivered to the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration, Harambee House, Harambee Avenue, in a dedicated Mailbox placed at the Main Reception (weekdays 8.00am – 5.00pm).”
“Email submissions can be sent to: ps@interior.go.ke and sgcbill2024@gmail.com,” added the notice.
For those interested in reviewing the draft Bill and related documents, they are advised to visit the Interior Ministry’s official website for access.
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