Kenya is set to ban the importation of electronics such as televisions, refrigerators, smartphones, computers and other household and industrial appliances that are older than 12 years from the manufacturing date in a war on electronic waste dumping.
The restriction, proposed under draft regulations by the National Environment Management Authority (Nema), aims to minimise e-waste and protect the public from exposure to toxic materials linked to cancer and other health hazards.
The proposed law aims to stem the growing influx of second-hand and near-end-of-life electronics into Kenya, much of which arrives under the guise of donations which arrives under the guise of donations or cheap refurbished goods.
Kenya imports about 70 percent of its electronic equipment—a figure that includes millions of items already close to obsolescence. The old electronics ride on the favourable pricing to grow market share, akin to the structure in Kenya’s auto sector.
The ban is modelled on Kenya’s car sector, which bans the importation of vehicles that are older than eight years.
“Prohibit import of electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) above 12 years from manufacturing date (except heritage/museum items),” says the impact assessment report on the Environmental Management and Coordination (Electrical and Electronic Waste Management) Regulations 2025.
“Age restrictions are based on Unep [United Nations Environment Programme] technical guidelines establishing 10-12 years as a threshold beyond which equipment typically requires replacement rather than repair.”
The move will bring Kenya in line with international best practices on e-waste management and align it with countries that have stricter import controls and sustainable e-waste policies, such as those in the European Union and parts of Asia.
Nema says Kenya’s e-waste is growing at between 8-12 percent annually, mainly driven by rapid adoption of electronic and electrical equipment (EEE), shorter product lifespans and imports of used equipment. This has seen the country generate between 51,300 and 53,559 metric tonnes of e-waste annually.
The proposed law will see the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) block the entry into Kenya of EEE manufactured more than 12 years, unless destined for approved museums or authorised refurbishment facilities.
Under the proposed regulations, electrical and electronic equipment will be classified as waste if it is discarded, unused for over 12 months, fails functionality tests, cost of repair is more than 60 percent of the current market price, or contains prohibited components.
Any non-functional or hazardous items—particularly those containing substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), mercury switches and lead solder—will be barred.
Besides cancer, exposure to e-waste has also been linked to birth defects, spontaneous abortions, respiratory diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and reduced IQ in children.
Importers of electronics will be required to submit a manifest to Nema at least 30 days before shipment, listing the brand, model, serial number, manufacture date and a functionality certificate from an accredited testing laboratory.
The draft states that electronics older than 12 years or performing below 85 percent of original specifications—even if under 12 years from the manufacturing date— will be denied entry. All second-hand EEE will undergo testing by Kebs-accredited labs.
Nema and the KRA will form joint inspection teams at Mombasa, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and major border points to ensure strict enforcement.
The taxman will withhold clearance of electronic imports until Nema issues a compliance certificate. Importers found guilty of illegal e-waste importation will face fines of up to Sh10 million or 10 percent of the consignment value, whichever is higher, plus possible imprisonment and blacklisting from importing electronics.
The proposal, if rolled out, looks set to increase prices for low-income consumers who rely on affordable second-hand electronics.
Kenya’s vibrant used electronics market provides access to phones, computers and appliances for millions of households.
However, the proposed law seeks to address this by permitting the importation of second-hand electronics under strict functionality testing and certification by Kebs-accredited laboratories.
The rules also encourage local refurbishment centres to extend product life cycles and create jobs within Kenya rather than relying on foreign dumping.
Computers, laptops and tablets will only be allowed into the country if they have no physical damage affecting safety, successfully boots to the operating system within three minutes, the processor speed is at least 70 percent of the manufacturer’s specification, all ports are functional and charging at least 60 percent of the original capacity, and the operating system is not pirated.
Mobile phones and tablets must have intact screens, fully operational call, SMS and data functions, hold at least 50 percent of their original battery capacity and possess an IMEI that is not blacklisted for theft.
Refrigerators and washing machines will be allowed only if they have no exposed wiring, have an intact casing and energy consumption is not more than 150 percent of the manufacturer’s specification.
Small household appliances such as blenders, irons and kettles must have intact cords, no exposed elements, proper insulation and perform their primary functions without unusual noise or heat.
Consumer electronics, including TVs, radios and cameras, must have at least 90 percent functional pixels, clear audio, operational advertised inputs and fully functional remote controls or suitable replacements.
The impact assessment report on the draft regulations calls for a phased rollout, beginning with pilot enforcement at Mombasa Port before expanding to airports and land borders. Within two years, Kenya expects to cut non-functional electronic imports by at least 60 percent.
Kenya’s approach borrows heavily from Rwanda’s 2016 E-Waste Regulation, which banned computers older than eight years and refrigerators older than 10 years. That policy led to a sharp decline in non-functional imports—from 45 percent in 2015 to 18 percent by 2020, according to Unep.
Nigeria also prohibits electronics older than 15 years but enforcement weaknesses have allowed high rates of non-compliance. Kenya hopes to avoid a low compliance rate by integrating customs inspection, certification and electronic tracking through a shared Nema-KRA database.
Electronic waste, if mishandled, poses serious health risks. Many devices contain carcinogenic materials like lead, mercury, cadmium and flame retardants— which contaminate air, soil and groundwater when burned or buried improperly. This puts countries like Kenya at risk, given that just about five percent of its over 50,000 tonnes generated annually are recycled.
There will be 100 percent inspection for first-time importers, 30 percent random inspection for registered importers with a good record and 100 percent inspection for donations and second-hand equipment.
The regulations will see Nema establish an electrical and electronic equipment registry to manage registrations and records. Producers introducing EEE into Kenya will have to register with Nema, including a take-back scheme agreement. Such producers must apply for annual compliance certificates and declare the tonnage of equipment.
Waste generators will be compelled to separate e-waste and transfer it to refurbishers, collection centres or licensed recyclers. The law bans unsafe disposal methods like open burning, dumping in water bodies or non-designated receptacles.
