Navigating Research Ethics and Regulatory Approvals in Kenya
Conducting research in Kenya — whether clinical, biomedical, social, or secondary data analysis — requires careful navigation of a multi-layered regulatory framework. All research is governed by the Science, Technology, and Innovation Act of 2013, and UC investigators must satisfy both Kenyan and UCSF IRB requirements.
Depending on the study type, this typically involves a Kenyan institutional affiliation, ethics clearance from a NACOSTI-accredited Ethics and Scientific Review Committee (ESRC), a NACOSTI research license, and, for clinical trials, additional approval from the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB).
Personal data handling and cross-border data transfers are further regulated by the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner under the Personal Data Protection Act of 2019, and county-level notification is required before fieldwork begins. Investigators should plan for the full ethics approval process to take three to six months.
Global Programs for Research and Training, based in Nairobi and Kisumu, supports UC investigators throughout this process.
GP Kenya can serve as the required local institutional affiliate for non-Kenyan researchers, facilitate ESRC and NACOSTI submissions, and provide hands-on troubleshooting from initial application through study completion.
The team's familiarity with Kenya's regulatory bodies, ethics committees, and county-level authorities helps investigators avoid delays and budget realistically for fees, timelines, and parallel requirements such as work permits.
For a detailed breakdown of research types, approval pathways, accredited ESRC contacts, and Kenya's full regulatory framework, see the full report here.
Other resources will be added in the future.