Compliance & Permits
Permitted, licensed, signed off.
Every borehole, every storage structure, every reticulated line we deliver passes through the same regulatory framework. We manage the approvals end-to-end so the client only signs off on engineering decisions.
We handle regulators. You handle your project.
Borehole development in Kenya is strictly regulated under the Water Act 2016, EMCA, and the NCA Act 2011. A single missed filing can halt a project or attract prosecution. Gemrigs manages every submission so it doesn't.
No permit delays holding up drilling
We file WRA, NEMA and county submissions in parallel, tracking each until issued. The rig mobilises when approvals land — not before.
One legal interface, not five
Your contract is with Gemrigs. We manage the regulatory bodies. You deal with engineering decisions, not government correspondence.
Protection from project shutdown
Unpermitted boreholes can be sealed by WRA and attract prosecution. Every project we deliver is filed, stamped and legally defensible.
Who signs off on what.
| Code | Body | Role | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| WRA | Water Resources Authority | Issues drilling and abstraction permits | Water Act 2016 |
| NEMA | National Environment Management Authority | Environmental protection and EIA licensing | EMCA |
| County | County Government | Local planning and zoning approvals | County Water Acts |
| EPRA | Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority | Licensing of solar pumping contractors and workers | Energy Act 2019 |
| NCA | National Construction Authority | Registration and regulation of contractors | NCA Act 2011 |
What we file, before and after drilling.
The permitting process is divided into two phases. Gemrigs prepares and submits every document in both.
Pre-drilling
Filed before any rig mobilisation. Without these, no WRA permit is issued.
- Hydrogeological survey stamped by a licensed geologist
- Land ownership verification (Title Deed or Lease Agreement)
- Environmental Impact Assessment or Project Report submitted to NEMA
Post-drilling
Filed to close the permit loop and receive the final abstraction licence.
- Borehole Completion Record
- 24-hour test pumping data
- Water quality analysis report from a certified laboratory
- Proof of flow-meter installation for abstraction monitoring
EPRA licensing is now mandatory for solar installations.
Under the Energy (Solar Water Heating) Regulations 2025, any entity involved in the design, installation or maintenance of a solar pumping or water-heating system in Kenya must hold an EPRA licence. Non-compliance can result in fines, system decommissioning and contractor prosecution.
Every Gemrigs solar installation is designed and commissioned by EPRA-certified engineers. The licence reference is included in every project handover file, alongside the WRA abstraction permit and NCA site registration.
The full reference framework.
Legal and engineering instruments that govern our work.
- Water Act 2016
Borehole drilling permits and abstraction monitoring (WRA)
- EMCA
Environmental Impact Assessment, NEMA licensing
- Building Code CAP 242
Plumbing gradient, structural safety
- Eurocode 2 (BS EN 1992-3)
Reinforced concrete design for liquid retention
- BS 8007
Detailing for water-tight liquid-retaining structures
- NCA Act 2011
Contractor registration and site discipline
- Energy Act 2019
Solar pumping contractor and worker licensing (EPRA)
- Solar Water Heating Regulations 2025
Mandatory licensing for solar system design, installation and maintenance
What clients ask about borehole permits in Kenya.
- What permits are required to drill a borehole in Kenya?
- Under the Water Act 2016, borehole drilling requires a WRA drilling permit, NEMA environmental clearance, NCA site registration, and county government approval. Any solar pumping components also require EPRA certification under the Energy Act 2019.
- Who issues borehole drilling permits in Kenya?
- The Water Resources Authority (WRA) issues borehole drilling permits. Environmental clearances are issued by NEMA, solar installations require EPRA licensing, and all contractors must be registered with the National Construction Authority (NCA).
- What happens if you drill a borehole without a WRA permit in Kenya?
- Drilling without a WRA permit violates the Water Act 2016 and can result in the borehole being sealed by WRA, prosecution of the property owner, and significant financial penalties. Gemrigs ensures every project is fully permitted before any rig mobilises.
- What is the WRA permit process for borehole drilling?
- The WRA permit process requires a stamped hydrogeological siting report from a licensed geologist, NEMA EIA clearance, and proof of land ownership or occupancy. After drilling, pump test results and a borehole completion record must be submitted to receive the final WRA abstraction licence.