Date of publication:
01/07/2026
Kenya
Do domestic laws and policies provide for fair asylum procedures on appeal?
Assessment by population
Analysis
Kenya's Refugees Act, 2021 and the Refugees (General) Regulations, 2024 establish procedures for asylum seekers to appeal decisions and access legal representation. If an asylum application is denied, the applicant is informed of the reasons and the right to appeal. Appeals must be submitted to the Refugee Status Appeals Committee within thirty days of receiving the decision. During the appeal process, asylum seekers have the right to legal representation at their own expense. Organizations like the Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK) provide legal assistance to those unable to afford private counsel.
Related provisions of domestic law or policy
The Refugees (General) Regulations, 2024
- Year: 2024
- Type: Domestic policy
- Rights Category: Asylum, Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Housing, land & property, Liberty & security of person, Nationality & facilitated naturalization, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Documentation
- Link to external source: https://www.refworld.org/legal/decreees/natlegbod/2024/en/147929?prevDestination=search&prevPath=/search?keywords=Refugees+%28General%29+Regulations&order=desc&sm_country_name%5B%5D=Kenya&sort=score&result=result-147929-en
Legal provision
Regulation 10.1 - Refugee status determination
During a refugee status determination interview— (a) an asylum seeker shall present his or her refugee claim in person; and (b) may be represented by a legal representative at his or her own cost; and (c) an asylum seeker who is incapable of giving consent or representing himself or herself at the interview shall be represented by competent adult who may give information on the asylum seeker’s behalf.
The Refugee Act
- Year: 2021
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Asylum, Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Liberty & security of person, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Family life, Documentation
- Link to external source: https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/2021/en/124231?prevDestination=search&prevPath=/search?keywords=refugee+act&order=desc&sm_country_name%5B%5D=Kenya&sort=score&result=result-124231-en
Legal provision
Section 14 - Appeals
(1) A person aggrieved by the decision of the Appeals. Commissioner under this Act may, within thirty days of receiving the decision, appeal in person or through his or her representative or through any other interested party to the Appeals Committee against the decision. (2) A person who is aggrieved by the decision of the Appeals Committee may appeal to the High Court within thirty days of being notified.