This page lists resources for procuring appropriate permits to conduct research under various national and subnational jurisdictions. It will be updated as additional experience and contacts are gained.
Kenyan Research Permits
National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation
NACOSTI
Required to conduct graduate, post doctoral, and higher research in Kenya.
Affiliation
NACOSTI applications require affiliation with an appropriate research institute in Kenya. Research applications must fit within the mandate of the affiliating institution. Draft the letter on your official letterhead from your home institution and address it to the appropriate authority as suggested by your research partner(s) at the institution you are affiliating with. Note that affiliation costs a fee in American dollars (USD) and is payable to the institution.
[AFFILIATION REQUEST LETTER EXAMPLE 2013]
[AFFILIATION LETTER EXAMPLE 2014]
Incomplete list of affiliating research institutes:
National Museums of Kenya (various sections: Archaeology, EA Herbarium, Palaeanthropology, Palaeobotany and Palynology)
Affiliation Form
Form D
Once you have a letter of acceptance for affiliation, fill in NACOSTI Form D.
Then complete the correct Application for authority to conduct research in Kenya:
Kenyan citizens – Application for authority to conduct research in Kenya
Form A
Non-Kenyan citizens – Application for authority to conduct research in Kenya
Form B
Once all forms and materials have been submitted online through the NACOSTI webpage then you should receive confirmation of receipt. NACOSTI can also be contacted through Facebook for general enquiries and aid. A completed permit can be picked up at NACOSTI in Nairobi, by courier service, and digitally. Be sure to bring copies and the original into the field and while travelling.
Non-Kenyan citizens – Bank account details (Research fee payment)
Exploration and Excavation Permit
Mainly applies to mining and mineral/rock extraction.
Export Permits
Required letter to export material (including sediment [geologic] samples) through Kenyan Immigration and Customs Departments. A detailed letter requesting export permission is submitted to the Director General through your affiliated institution. The letter should detail the material, where they were collected, and to what purpose they will be used for. Ensure this is submitted early before departure/shipping so there is time to process the latter and have it signed by the DG. It may be useful to have a copy of the original letter with the Export Permit. For geologic samples it is worthwhile to state that the samples are inert, have no commercial value, and will be destroyed during analysis. Also include what level of study the samples will be used for; for example, ‘sediment samples for a PhD study at the University of …’
[SAMPLE EXPORT PERMIT 2014]
Survey of Kenya Copyright Permissions
Maps and air photographs older than 50 years old available under public domain copyright permission. Material under 50 years old require copyright permission from the Survey of Kenya. A letter of permission is required to access copyrighted Kenyan material held at Rhodes House, Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, and RCAHMS Aerial Reconnaissance Archive (Edinburgh).