In Kenya, access to biological and genetic resources and associated knowledge is governed by various multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) including but not limited to the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD), Nagoya Protocol, International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species (CITES) and World Intellectual Property Organization Treaties (WIPO) among others, as wells as being subject to domestic legislation.

Below are the steps required for obtaining research permits for accessing biological and genetic resources and associated knowledge in Kenya.

1. Researchers seeking to work on traditional knowledge and wildlife (e.g. plants, microorganisms, arthropods, insects, fish, large and small mammals), their habitats (e.g.
   landscape, marine, inland waters, soil and water), associated genetic derivatives, etc., MUST apply for a WRTI permit.
2. The first step is to access the WRTI permit system directly through https://permits.wrti.go.ke. Please use the Applicant Checklist to ensure that you have all the documents you will need before you apply.
3. The following documents should be submitted together with the filled Form RPC-1A
   • A valid copy of a personal identification document (National ID/ Passport biodata page)
   • Support letter from your academic/work/institution
   • Recommendation from your host/attached institution in Kenya (Researchers seeking affiliation with Mpala must submit a research proposal using this template.
   • A comprehensive research project proposal, approved and signed by the applicant institution/funding institution.
   • Grant Award Letter (original, not altered)
   • Curriculum Vitae of the applicant
     Note: more documents/information may be requested depending on nature of research
   • Optional documents:
     • Prior Informed Consent (PIC)
     • Mutually Agreed Terms (MAT)
     • Material Transfer Agreements (MTA)
     • Ethical Review Compliance (IACUCs) report where applicable.
     • KCAA Permit
     • Kenya Film Board Licence
     • Ethical Approval Report
4. On receiving your application, WRTI will check for the appropriateness of your work. WITHIN
   60 days, they will: approve your research, request that you amend your proposal, or decline your research.
5. As you wait for WRTI approval it is important to identify your stakeholders. They are institutions that will assist you in implementing your work, and are also those that would be impacted by your work. These are legal entities with a mandate on the collaborations/roles you seek.
6. It is important to learn about the Prior Informed Consent and the Mutually Agreed Terms
   (PIC/MAT) process and engage your institution’s legal office and outline some of the standard clauses in the documents.
7. On approval of your proposal by WRTI, you will be required to develop the PIC/MAT in line
   with the Convention of Biological Diversity and protocols (e.g. Cartagena and Nagoya). This is a
   negotiation process on the access benefits sharing between the providers and the users of the
   biological resources.
8. Once the PIC and MAT have been signed by all the stakeholders, the researcher sends it back to the WRTI Permits office. If satisfactory, a one-year permit is issued.
9. The researcher should then proceed and apply for the NACOSTI Permits. Here are the requirements.
10. After obtaining both the WRTI and NACOSTI Permits, the researcher should proceed and apply for the NEMA access permit and fill out the CBD and ABS Regulations 2006. 
11. Once a NEMA Access Permit is granted, researchers planning to capture wildlife can now apply
    for a capture permit.
12. Researchers planning to export their samples to laboratories outside Kenya need to apply for an
    Export Permit and Material Transfer Agreement.
13.  Required Documents for Permit Renewal
    • A progress report on previous research
    • Letter of recommendation from Institution of Affiliation
    • Expired Research Permit
    • Expired NACOSTI licence
    • Compliance report with PIC/MAT (if it was developed/applicable)

To assist on research permit matters or if you have questions pertaining to the research permit application processes, contact the Chief Research Officer, Dr. Nina Wambiji at nina.wambiji@mpala.org