Is Weed Legal in Kenya?

Recreational and medical marijuana are illegal in Kenya. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act 1994 (Cap. 245) lists cannabis as a controlled substance, and Section 3 criminalizes possession, use, dealing, and cultivation without exception.

Possession for personal use carries a fine of not less than KSh 1 million or ten years imprisonment, or both, under Section 3(2)(a). Trafficking under Section 4 attracts a fine of not less than KSh 1 million or three times the value of the consignment, whichever is greater, alongside life imprisonment. Cultivation of any cannabis plant under Section 3(2)(b) attracts the same penalty as possession. The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) coordinates policy, while the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Anti-Narcotics Unit enforce the law. Kenya's coastal corridor, including Mombasa and Lamu, sees recurring trafficking prosecutions involving regional supply chains.

Personal-use possession cases are sometimes resolved with fines or short sentences, but the statutory penalties remain severe and judges retain wide discretion. There is no medical cannabis pathway, and no special-access route is published.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current law with qualified counsel before making compliance decisions.