Kenya’s Refugees Act, 2021 primarily focuses on the recognition and management of refugees under the definitions set forth in the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention and the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa. However, the Act does not explicitly create a framework for alternative or complementary protection statuses.

The law provides mechanisms for granting refugee status to individuals who face persecution or serious threats due to conflicts, external aggression, or generalized violence. For individuals who do not strictly meet these criteria but are still at risk, the Act does not specify an alternative status akin to "complementary protection" as seen in some other jurisdictions.

While the Refugees Act does not directly address complementary protection, individuals who may not qualify as refugees could be considered for other forms of residency under the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011, which governs other immigration categories, such as humanitarian considerations or discretionary residency.