Arbitration Act

Cap. 49

This is the latest version of this Act.

Citation: Cap. 49
Date: 31 December 2022
Language: English
Type: Act
Publication: Download PDF (6.2 MB)

ARBITRATION ACT

CAP. 49

Published in Kenya Gazette Vol. XCVII—No. 44 on 18 August 1995
Assented to on 10 August 1995
Commenced on 2 January 1996 by Arbitration Act Commencement

[Amended by Arbitration (Amendment) Act, 2009 (Act No. 11 of 2009) on 15 April 2010]
[Amended by Companies and Insolvency Legislation (Consequential Amendments) Act, 2015 (Act No. 19 of 2015) on 3 July 2017]
[Revised by 24th Annual Supplement (Legal Notice 221 of 2023) on 31 December 2022]

An Act of Parliament to repeal and re-enact with amendments the Arbitration Act and to provide for connected purposes

Part I – PRELIMINARY

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Arbitration Act.

2. Application

Except as otherwise provided in a particular case, the provisions of this Act shall apply to domestic arbitration and international arbitration.

3. Interpretation

(1)In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—"arbitration" means any arbitration whether or not administered by a permanent arbitral institution;"arbitration agreement" means an agreement by the parties to submit to arbitration all or certain disputes which have arisen or which may arise between them in respect of a defined legal relationship, whether contractual or not;"arbitral award" means any award of an arbitral tribunal and includes an interim arbitral award;"arbitral tribunal" means a sole arbitrator or a panel of arbitrators;"party" means a party to an arbitration agreement and includes a person claiming through or under a party.

(2)An arbitration is domestic if the arbitration agreement provides expressly or by implication for arbitration in Kenya: and at the time when proceedings are commenced or the arbitration is entered into—

(a)where the arbitration is between individuals, the parties are nationals of Kenya or are habitually resident in Kenya;

(b)where the arbitration is between bodies corporate, the parties are incorporated in Kenya or their central management and control are exercised in Kenya;

(c)where the arbitration is between an individual and a body corporate—

(i)the party who is an individual is a national of Kenya or is habitually resident in Kenya; and

(ii)the party that is a body corporate is incorporated in Kenya or its central management and control are exercised in Kenya; or

(d)the place where a substantial part of the obligations of the commercial relationship is to be performed, or the place with which the subject- matter of the dispute is most closely connected, is Kenya.

(3)An arbitration is international if—

(a)the parties to an arbitration agreement have, at the time of the conclusion of that agreement, their places of business in different states;

(b)one of the following places is situated outside the state in which the parties have their places of business—

(i)the juridical seat of arbitration is determined by or pursuant to the arbitration agreement; or

(ii)any place where a substantial part of the obligations of the commercial relationship is to be performed or the place with which the subject-matter of the dispute is most closely connected; or

(c)the parties have expressly agreed that the subject-matter of the arbitration agreement relates to more than one state.

(4)For the purpose of subsection (3)—

(a)if a party has more than one place of business, the place of business is that which has the closest relationship to the arbitration agreement; and

(b)if a party does not have a place of business, reference is to be made to his habitual residence.

(5)Where a provision of this Act, except section 29 leaves the parties free to determine a certain issue, such freedom includes the right of the parties to authorize a third party including an institution to make that determination.

(6)Where a provision of this Act refers to the fact that the parties have agreed or that they may agree or in any other way refer to an agreement of the parties, such agreement includes any arbitration rules referred to in that agreement.

(7)Where a provision of this Act, other than sections 26 and 33(2)(a), refers to a claim, it also applies to a counterclaim, and where it refers to a defence it also applies to a defence to such counterclaim.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 2.]

Part II – GENERAL PROVISIONS

4. Form of arbitration agreement

(1)An arbitration agreement may be in the form of an arbitration clause in a contract or in the form of a separate agreement.

(2)An arbitration agreement shall be in writing.

(3)An arbitration agreement is in writing if it is contained in—

(a)a document signed by the parties;

(b)an exchange of letters, telex, telegram, facsimile, electronic mail or other means of telecommunications which provide a record of the agreement; or

(c)an exchange of statements of claim and defence in which the existence of an agreement is alleged by one party and not denied by the other party.

(4)The reference in a contract to a document containing an arbitration clause shall constitute an arbitration agreement if the contract is in writing and the reference is such as to make that arbitration clause part of the contract.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 3.]

5. Waiver of right to object

A party who knows that any provision of this Act from which the parties may derogate or any requirement under the arbitration agreement has not been complied with and yet proceeds with the arbitration without stating his objection to such non-compliance without undue delay or, if a time limit is prescribed, within such period of time, is deemed to have waived the right to object.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 4.]

6. Stay of legal proceedings

(1)A court before which proceedings are brought in a matter which is the subject of an arbitration agreement shall, if a party so applies not later than the time when that party enters appearance or otherwise acknowledges the claim against which the stay of proceedings is sought, stay the proceedings and refer the parties to arbitration unless it finds—

(a)that the arbitration agreement is null and void, inoperative or incapable of being performed; or

(b)that there is not in fact any dispute between the parties with regard to the matters agreed to be referred to arbitration.

(2)Proceedings before the court shall not be continued after an application under subsection (1) has been made and the matter remains undetermined.

(3)If the court declines to stay legal proceedings, any provision of the arbitration agreement to the effect that an award is a condition precedent to the bringing of legal proceedings in respect of any matter is of no effect in relation to those proceedings.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 5.]

7. Interim measures by court

(1)It is not incompatible with an arbitration agreement for a party to request from the High Court, before or during arbitral proceedings, an interim measure of protection and for the High Court to grant that measure.

(2)Where a party applies to the High Court for an injunction or other interim order and the arbitral tribunal has already ruled on any matter relevant to the application, the High Court shall treat the ruling or any finding of fact made in the course of the ruling as conclusive for the purposes of the application.

8. Death of a party

(1)An arbitration agreement is not discharged by the death of any party thereto, either as respects the deceased or any other party, but in such event is enforceable by or against the personal representative of the deceased.

(2)The authority of an arbitrator is not revoked by the death of any party by whom he was appointed.

(3)Nothing in this section affects the operation of any law by virtue of which any right of action is extinguished by the death of a person.

9. Receipt of written communications

(1)Unless otherwise agreed in writing between the parties any communication made pursuant to or for the purposes of an arbitration agreement—

(a)being a communication effected by facsimile or electronic mail—

(i)is deemed to have been received if it is transmitted to a facsimile number or electronic mailing address, as the case may be, specified by the addressee as his number or address for service; and

(ii)is deemed to have been received on the day on which it is so transmitted; or

(b)in any other case—

(i)is deemed to have been received if it is delivered to the addressee personally or if it is delivered at his place of business, habitual residence or mailing address; and

(ii)is deemed to have been received on the day on which it was so delivered.

(2)Where, after reasonable inquiry, a place of business or residential address specified by the addressee cannot be found, or where such a place or address, or any mailing address, facsimile number or electronic mailing address so specified appears never to have been, or to be no longer, that of the addressee, a written communication—

(a)is deemed to have been received if it is sent to the addressee’s last known place of business, residential address or mailing address, or last known facsimile number or electronic mailing address, or by any other means that provides a record of the attempt to deliver or transmit the communication; and

(b)is deemed to have been received on the date specified in that record.

(3)This section does not apply to the service of documents for the purpose of legal proceedings for which provision is made by rules of court.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 6.]

10. Extent of court intervention

Except as provided in this Act, no court shall intervene in matters governed by this Act.

Part III – COMPOSITION AND JURISDICTION OF ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL

11. Determination of number of arbitrators

(1)The parties are free to determine the number of arbitrators.

(2)Failing such determination, the number of arbitrators shall be one.

(3)Where an arbitration agreement provides that the reference shall be to two arbitrators, then, unless a contrary intention is expressed in the agreement, the agreement is deemed to include a provision that the two arbitrators shall appoint a third arbitrator immediately after they are themselves appointed.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 7.]

12. Appointment of arbitrators

(1)No person shall be precluded by reason of that person’s nationality from acting as an arbitrator, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

(2)The parties are free to agree on a procedure of appointing the arbitrator or arbitrators and any chairman and failing such agreement—

(a)in an arbitration with three arbitrators, each party shall appoint one arbitrator and the two arbitrators so appointed shall appoint the arbitrator;

(b)in an arbitration with two arbitrators, each party shall appoint one arbitrator; and

(c)in an arbitration with one arbitrator, the parties shall agree on the arbitrator to be appointed.

(3)Unless the parties otherwise agree, where each of two parties to an arbitration agreement is to appoint an arbitrator and one party ("the party in default")—

(a)has indicated that he is unwilling to do so;

(b)fails to do so within the time allowed under the arbitration agreement; or

(c)fails to do so within fourteen days (where the arbitration agreement does not limit the time within which an arbitrator must be appointed by a party), the other party, having duly appointed an arbitrator, may give notice in writing to the party in default that he proposes to appoint his arbitrator to act as sole arbitrator.

(4)If the party in default does not, within fourteen days after notice under subsection (3) has been given —

(a)make the required appointment; and

(b)notify the other party that he has done so, the other party may appoint his arbitrator as sole arbitrator, and the award of that arbitrator shall be binding on both parties as if he had been so appointed by agreement.

(5)Where a sole arbitrator has been appointed under subsection (4), the party in default may, upon notice to the other party, apply to the High Court within fourteen days to have the appointment set aside.

(6)The High Court may grant an application under subsection (5) only if it is satisfied that there was good cause for the failure or refusal of the party in default to appoint his arbitrator in due time.

(7)The High Court, if it grants an application under subsection (5), may, by consent of the parties or on the application of either party, appoint a sole arbitrator.

(8)A decision of the High Court in respect of a matter under this section shall be final and not be subject to appeal.

(9)The High Court in appointing an arbitrator shall have due regard to any qualifications required of an arbitrator by the agreement of the parties and to such considerations as are likely to secure the appointment of an independent and impartial arbitrator and, in the case of a sole or third arbitrator, shall take into account the advisability of appointing an arbitrator of a nationality other than those of the parties.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 8.]

13. Grounds for challenge

(1)When a person is approached in connection with his possible appointment as an arbitrator, he shall disclose any circumstances likely to give rise to justifiable doubts as to his impartiality or independence.

(2)From the time of his appointment and throughout the arbitral proceedings, an arbitrator shall without delay disclose any such circumstances to the parties unless the parties have already been informed of them by him.

(3)An arbitrator may be challenged only if circumstances exist that give rise to justifiable doubts as to his impartiality and independence, or if he does not possess qualifications agreed to by the parties or if he is physically or mentally incapable of conducting the proceedings or there are justifiable doubts as to his capacity to do so.

(4)A party may challenge an arbitrator appointed by him, or in whose appointment that party has participated, only for reasons of which he becomes aware after the appointment.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 9.]

14. Challenge procedure

(1)Subject to subsection (3), the parties are free to agree on a procedure for challenging an arbitrator.

(2)Failing an agreement under subsection (1), a party who intends to challenge an arbitrator shall, within fifteen days after becoming aware of the composition of the arbitral tribunal or after becoming aware of any circumstances referred to in section 13 (3), send a written statement of the reasons for the challenge to the arbitral tribunal, and unless the arbitrator who is being challenged withdraws from his office or the other party agrees to the challenge, the arbitral tribunal shall decide on the challenge.

(3)If a challenge under agreed procedure or under subsection (2) is unsuccessful, the challenging party may, within thirty days after being notified of the decision to reject the challenge, apply to the High Court to determine the matter.

(4)On an application under subsection (3), the arbitrator who was challenged shall be entitled to appear and be heard before the High Court determines the application.

(5)The High Court may confirm the rejection of the challenge or may uphold the challenge and remove the arbitrator.

(6)The decision of the High Court on such an application shall be final and shall not be subject to appeal.

(7)Where an arbitrator is removed by the High Court under this section, the court may make such order as it thinks fit with respect to his entitlement (if any) to fees or expenses or the repayment of any fees or expenses already paid.

(8)While an application under subsection (3) is pending before the High Court, the parties may commence, continue and conclude arbitral proceedings, but no award in such proceedings shall take effect until the application is decided, and such an award shall be void if the application is successful.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 10.]

15. Failure or impossibility to act

(1)The mandate of an arbitrator shall terminate if—

(a)he is unable to perform the functions of his office or for any other reason fails to conduct the proceedings properly and with reasonable dispatch; or

(b)he withdraws from his office; or

(c)the parties agree in writing to the termination of the mandate.

(2)If there is any dispute concerning any of the grounds referred to in subsection (1)(a), a party may apply to the High Court to decide on the termination of the mandate.

(3)A decision of the High Court under subsection (2) shall be final and shall not be subject to appeal.

(4)Where under this section or section 14(2), an arbitrator withdraws from his office or a party agrees to the termination of the mandate of an arbitrator, that shall not imply acceptance of the validity of any ground referred to in this section or section 16(3).[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 11.]

16. Termination of mandate and substitution of arbitrator

(1)Where the mandate of an arbitrator is terminated under section 14 or 15, a substitute arbitrator shall be appointed in accordance with the procedure that was applicable to the appointment of the arbitrator being replaced.

(2)Unless otherwise agreed by the parties—

(a)where a sole arbitrator or the Chairman of the arbitral tribunal is replaced, any hearing previously held shall be held afresh; and

(b)where an arbitrator, other than a sole arbitrator or the Chairman of the arbitral tribunal is replaced, any hearings previously held may be held afresh at the discretion of the arbitral tribunal.

(3)Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, an order or ruling of the arbitral tribunal made prior to the replacement of an arbitrator under this section shall not be invalidated solely because there has been a change in the composition of the arbitral tribunal.

(4)The Authority of an arbitrator is personal and ceases on his death.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 12.]

16A. Withdrawal of arbitrator

(1)Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, an arbitrator who withdraws from his office may, if prior notice has been given to the parties, apply to the High Court—

(a)to grant him relief from any liability thereby incurred by him; and

(b)to make such order as the court thinks fit with respect to his entitlement (if any) to fees or expenses or the repayment of any fees or expenses already paid.

(2)Where the High Court is satisfied that, in the circumstances, it was reasonable for the arbitrator to resign, it may grant relief on such terms as it may think fit.

(3)The decision of the High Court shall be final and shall not be subject to appeal.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 13.]

16B. Immunity of arbitrator

(1)An arbitrator shall not be liable for anything done or omitted to be done in good faith in the discharge or purported discharge of his functions as an arbitrator.

(2)Subsection (1) shall extend to apply to a servant or agent of an arbitrator in respect of the discharge or purported discharge by such a servant or agent, with due authority and in good faith, of the functions of the arbitrator.

(3)Nothing in this section affects any liability incurred by an arbitrator by reason of his resignation or withdrawal.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 13.]

17. Competence of arbitral tribunal to rule on its jurisdiction

(1)The arbitral tribunal may rule on its own jurisdiction, including ruling on any objections with respect to the existence or validity of the arbitration agreement, and for that purpose—

(a)an arbitration clause which forms part of a contract shall be treated as an agreement independent of the other terms of the contract; and

(b)a decision by the arbitral tribunal that the contract is null and void shall not itself invalidate the arbitration clause.

(2)A plea that the arbitral tribunal does not have jurisdiction shall be raised not later than the submission of the statement of defence, however, a party is not precluded from raising such a plea because he has appointed, or participated in the appointment of, an arbitrator.

(3)A plea that the arbitral tribunal is exceeding the scope of its authority shall be raised as soon as the matter alleged to be beyond the scope of its authority is raised during the arbitral proceedings.

(4)The arbitral tribunal may, in either of the cases referred to in subsection (2) or (3) admit a later plea if it considers the delay justified.

(5)The arbitral tribunal may rule on a plea referred to in subsections (2) and (3) either as a preliminary question or in an arbitration award on the merits.

(6)Where the arbitral tribunal rules as a preliminary question that it has jurisdiction, any party aggrieved by such ruling may apply to the High Court, within 30 days after having received notice of that ruling, to decide the matter.

(7)The decision of the High Court shall be final and shall not be subject to appeal.

(8)While an application under subsection (6) is pending before the High Court the parties may commence, continue and conclude arbitral proceedings, but no award in such proceedings shall take effect until the application is decided and such award shall be void if the application is successful.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 14.]

18. Power of arbitral tribunal

(1)Unless the parties otherwise agree, an arbitral tribunal may, on the application of a party—

(a)order any party to take such interim measure of protection as the arbitral tribunal may consider necessary in respect of the subject- matter of the dispute, with or without an ancillary order requiring the provision of appropriate security in connection with such a measure; or

(b)order any party to provide security in respect of any claim or any amount in dispute; or

(c)order a claimant to provide security for costs.

(2)The arbitral tribunal or a party with the approval of the arbitral tribunal, may seek assistance from the High Court in the exercise of any power conferred on the arbitral tribunal under subsection (1).

(3)If a request is made under subsection (2) the High Court shall have, for the purposes of the arbitral proceedings, the same power to make an order for the doing of anything which the arbitral tribunal is empowered to order under subsection (1) as it would have in civil proceedings before that Court, but the arbitral proceedings shall continue notwithstanding that a request has been made and is being considered by the High Court.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 15.]

Part IV – CONDUCT OF ARBITRAL PROCEEDINGS

19. Equal treatment of parties

The parties shall be treated with equality and each party shall subject to section 20, be given a fair and reasonable opportunity to present his case.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 16.]

19A. General duty of parties

The parties to arbitration shall do all things necessary for the proper and expeditious conduct of the arbitral proceedings.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 17.]

20. Determination of rules of procedure

(1)Subject to the provisions of this Act, the parties are free to agree on the procedure to be followed by the arbitral tribunal in the conduct of the proceedings.

(2)Failing an agreement under subsection (1), the arbitral tribunal may conduct the arbitration in the manner it considers appropriate, having regard to the desirability of avoiding unnecessary delay or expense while at the same time affording the parties a fair and reasonable opportunity to present their cases.

(3)The power of the arbitral tribunal under subsection (2) includes the power to determine the admissibility, relevance, materiality and weight of any evidence and to determine at what point an argument or submission in respect of any matter has been fairly and adequately put or made.

(4)Every witness giving evidence and every person appearing before an arbitral tribunal shall have at least the same privileges and immunities as witnesses and advocates in proceedings before a court.

(5)The tribunal may direct that a party or witness shall be examined on oath or affirmation and may for that purpose administer or take the necessary oath or affirmation.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 18.]

21. Place of arbitration

(1)The parties are free to agree on the juridicial seat of arbitration and the location of any hearing or meeting.

(2)Failing an agreement under subsection (1), the place of arbitration shall be determined by the arbitral tribunal having regard to the circumstances of the case and convenience of the parties.

(3)Notwithstanding subsection (1) the arbitral tribunal may, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, meet at any location it considers appropriate for consultation among its members, for hearing witnesses, experts or the parties, or for the inspection of documents, goods or other property.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 19.]

22. Commencement of arbitral proceedings

Unless the parties otherwise agree, the arbitral proceedings in respect of a particular dispute shall commence on the date on which a request for the dispute to be referred to arbitration is received by the respondent.

23. Language

(1)The parties are free to agree upon the language or languages to be used in the arbitral proceedings.

(2)Failing an agreement under subsection (1), the arbitral tribunal shall determine the language or languages to be used in the arbitral proceedings.

(3)The agreement or determination under subsection (1) or (2) shall, unless otherwise specified, apply to any written statement by a party, any hearing and any arbitral award, decision or other communication by the arbitral tribunal.

(4)The arbitral tribunal may order that any documentary evidence shall be accompanied by a translation into the language or languages agreed upon by the parties or determined by the arbitral tribunal.

24. Statement of claim and defence

(1)Within the period of time agreed upon by the parties or determined by the arbitral tribunal, the claimant shall state the facts supporting his claim, the points at issue and the relief or remedy sought, and the respondent shall state his defence in respect of these particulars, unless the parties have otherwise agreed as to the required particulars of such statements.

(2)The parties may submit with their statements all documents they consider to be relevant or may add a reference to the documents or other evidence they will submit.

(3)Except as otherwise agreed by the parties, either party may amend or supplement his claim or defence during the course of the arbitral proceedings, unless the arbitral tribunal considers it inappropriate to allow the amendment or supplement having regard to the delay in making it.

25. Hearing and written representations

(1)Subject to any agreement to the contrary by the parties, the arbitral tribunal shall decide whether to hold oral hearing for the presentation of evidence or for oral argument, or whether the proceedings shall be conducted on the basis of documents and other materials furnished under section 24.

(2)Unless the parties have agreed that no hearings shall be held, the arbitral tribunal shall hold oral hearings at an appropriate stage of the proceedings, if so required by a party.

(3)The parties shall be given sufficient advance notice of any hearing and of any meeting of the arbitral tribunal for the purpose of inspection of documents, goods or other property.

(4)All statements, documents or other information furnished to, or applications made to, the arbitral tribunal by one party shall be communicated to the other party, and any expert report or evidential document on which the arbitral tribunal may rely in making its decisions shall be communicated to the parties.

(5)At any hearing or meeting of the arbitral tribunal of which notice is required to be given under subsection (3), or in any proceedings conducted on the basis of documents or other materials, the parties may appear or act in person or may be represented by any other person of their choice.

26. Default of a party

Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, if, without showing sufficient cause—

(a)the claimant fails to communicate his statement of claim in accordance with section 24(1), the arbitral tribunal shall terminate the arbitral proceedings;

(b)the respondent fails to communicate his statement of defence in accordance with section 24(1), the arbitral tribunal shall continue the proceedings without treating such failure in itself as an admission of the claimant’s allegations;

(c)a party which fails to appear at a hearing or to produce documentary evidence, the arbitral tribunal may continue the proceedings and make the award on the evidence before it;

(d)the claimant fails to prosecute his claim, the arbitral tribunal may make an award dismissing the claim or give directions, with or without conditions, for the speedy determination of the claim;

(e)a party fails to comply with any order or direction of the tribunal, the tribunal may make a peremptory order to the same effect, prescribing a time for compliance with the order;

(f)a party fails to comply with a peremptory order of the tribunal to provide security for costs, the tribunal may make an award dismissing his claim;

(g)a party fails to comply with any other peremptory order, the tribunal may—

(i)direct that the party in default shall not be entitled to rely on any allegation or material that was the subject-matter of the order;

(ii)draw such adverse inferences from the noncompliance as the circumstances justify;

(iii)proceed to an award on the basis of such materials as have been properly provided to it;

(iv)make such order as it thinks fit as to the payment of costs of the arbitration incurred as a result of the noncompliance.

[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 20.]

27. Experts

(1)Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitral tribunal may—

(a)appoint one or more experts to report to it on specific issues to be determined by the arbitral tribunal; and

(b)require a party to give the expert any relevant information or to produce or provide access to, any relevant documents, goods or other property for inspection.

(2)Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, if a party requests or if the arbitral tribunal considers it necessary, the expert shall, after delivery of his written or oral report, participate in an oral hearing where the parties shall have the opportunity to put questions to him and to present expert witnesses in order to testify on the points at issue.

(3)Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the expert shall, upon the request of a party, make available to that party for examination all documents, goods or other property in the expert’s possession which were provided to him in order to prepare his report.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 21.]

28. Court assistance in taking evidence

The arbitral tribunal, or a party with the approval of the arbitral tribunal, may request from the High Court assistance in taking evidence, and the High Court may execute the request within its competence and according to its rules on taking evidence.

Part V – ARBITRAL AWARD AND TERMINATION OF ARBITRAL PROCEEDINGS

29. Rules applicable to substance of dispute

(1)The arbitral tribunal shall decide the dispute in accordance with the rules of law chosen by the parties as applicable to the substance of the dispute.

(2)The choice of the law or legal system of any designated state shall be construed, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, as directly referring to the substantive law of that state and not to its conflict of laws rules.

(3)Failing a choice of the law under subsection (1) by the parties, the arbitral tribunal shall apply the rules of law it considers to be appropriate given all the circumstances of the dispute.

(4)The arbitral tribunal shall decide on the substance of the dispute according to considerations of justice and fairness without being bound by the rules of law, only if the parties have expressly authorized it to do so.

(5)In all cases, the arbitral tribunal shall decide in accordance with the terms of the particular contract and shall take into account the usages of the trade applicable to the particular transaction.

30. Decision making by panel of arbitrators

(1)Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, in arbitral proceedings with more than one arbitrator, any decision of the arbitral tribunal shall be made by a majority of all its members.

(2)Notwithstanding subsection (1), if authorized by the parties or all the members of the arbitral tribunal, questions of procedure may be decided by the Chairman.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 22.]

31. Settlement

(1)If, during arbitral proceedings, the parties settle the dispute, the arbitral tribunal shall terminate the proceedings and, if requested by the parties and not objected to by the arbitral tribunal, record the settlement in the form of an arbitral award on agreed terms.

(2)An arbitral award on agreed terms shall be made in accordance with section 32 and shall state that it is an arbitral award.

(3)An arbitral award on agreed terms has the same status and effect as any other arbitral award on the substance of the dispute.

32. Form and contents of arbitral award

(1)An arbitral award shall be made in writing and shall be signed by the arbitrator or the arbitrators.

(2)For the purposes of subsection (1), in arbitral proceedings with more than one arbitrator, the signatures of the majority of all the arbitrators shall be sufficient so long as the reasons for any omitted signature are stated.

(3)The arbitral award shall state the reasons upon which it is based, unless—

(a)the parties have agreed that no reasons are to be given; or

(b)the award is an arbitral award on agreed terms under section 31.

(4)The arbitral award shall state the date of the award and the juridical seat of arbitration as determined in accordance with section 21(1), and the award shall be deemed to have been made at that juridical seat.

(5)Subject to section 32B after the arbitral award is made, a signed copy shall be delivered to each party.

(6)An arbitral tribunal may, at any time, make a partial award by which some, but not all, of the issues between the parties are determined, and the provisions of this Act applying to awards of an arbitral tribunal shall, except in so far as a contrary intention appears, apply in respect of such partial award.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 23.]

32A. Effect of award

Except as otherwise agreed by the parties, an arbitral award is final and binding upon the parties to it, and no recourse is available against the award otherwise than in the manner provided by this Act.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 24.]

32B. Costs and expenses

(1)Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the costs and expenses of an arbitration, being the legal and other expenses of the parties, the fees and expenses of the arbitral tribunal and any other expenses related to the arbitration, shall be as determined and apportioned by the arbitral tribunal in its award under this section, or any additional award under section 34(5).

(2)Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, in the absence of an award or additional award determining and apportioning the costs and expenses of the arbitration, each party shall be responsible for the legal and other expenses of that party and for an equal share of the fees and expenses of the arbitral tribunal and any other expenses relating to the arbitration.

(3)The arbitral tribunal may withhold the delivery of an award to the parties until full payment of the fees and expenses of the arbitral tribunal is received.

(4)If the arbitral tribunal has, under subsection (3), withheld the delivery of an award, a party to the arbitration may, upon notice to the other party and to the arbitral tribunal, and after payment into court of the fees and expenses demanded by the arbitral tribunal, apply to the High Court for an order directing the manner in which the fees and expenses properly payable to the arbitral tribunal shall be determined.

(5)The fees and expenses found to be properly payable pursuant to such an order shall be paid out of the moneys paid into court and the balance of those moneys. if any, shall be refunded to the applicant.

(6)The decision of the High Court on an application under subsection (4) shall be final and not subject to appeal.

(7)The provisions of subsections (3) to (6) have effect notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary made between the parties.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 24.]

32C. Interest

Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, to the extent that the rules of law applicable to the substance of the dispute permit, an arbitral award may include provision for the payment of simple or compound interest calculated from such date, at such rate and with such rests as may be specified in the award.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 24.]

33. Termination of arbitral proceedings

(1)The arbitral proceedings shall be terminated by the final arbitral award or by an order of the arbitral tribunal under subsection (2).

(2)The arbitral tribunal shall issue an order for the termination of the arbitral proceedings where—

(a)the claimant withdraws his claim, unless the respondent objects to the order and the arbitral tribunal recognises a legitimate interest on his part in obtaining a final settlement of the dispute;

(b)the parties agree on the termination of the arbitral proceedings; or

(c)the arbitral tribunal finds that the continuation of the proceedings has for any other reason become unnecessary or impossible.

(3)Subject to sections 34 and 35, the mandate of the arbitral tribunal shall terminate upon the termination of the arbitral proceedings.

34. Correction and interpretation of arbitral award; additional award

(1)Within thirty days after receipt of the arbitral award, unless a different period of time has been agreed upon by the parties—

(a)a party may, upon notice in writing to the other party, request the arbitral tribunal to correct in the arbitral award any computation errors, any clerical or typographical errors or any other errors of a similar nature; and

(b)a party may, upon notice in writing to the other party, request the arbitral tribunal to clarify or remove any ambiguity concerning specific point or part of the arbitral award.

(2)If the tribunal considers a request made under subsection (1) to be justified it shall, after giving the other party fourteen days to comment, make the correction or furnish the clarification within thirty days whether the comments have been received or not, and the correction or clarification shall be deemed to be part of the award.

(3)The arbitral tribunal may correct any error of the type referred to in subsection (1)(a) on its own initiative within thirty days after the date of the arbitral award.

(4)Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, a party may upon notice in writing to the other party, within thirty days after receipt of the arbitral award, request the arbitral tribunal to make an additional arbitral award as to claims presented in the arbitral proceedings but omitted from the arbitral award.

(5)If the arbitral tribunal considers the request made under subsection (4) to be justified, it shall make the additional arbitral award within sixty days.

(6)The arbitral tribunal may extend, if necessary, the period of time within which it shall make a correction, give an interpretation or make an additional arbitral award under subsection (2) or (5).

(7)Section 32 shall apply to a correction or an interpretation of the arbitral award or to an additional arbitral award made under this section.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 25.]

Part VI – RECOURSE TO HIGH COURT AGAINST ARBITRAL AWARD

35. Application for setting aside arbitral award

(1)Recourse to the High Court against an arbitral award may be made only by an application for setting aside the award under subsections (2) and (3).

(2)An arbitral award may be set aside by the High Court only if—

(a)the party making the application furnishes proof—

(i)that a party to the arbitration agreement was under some incapacity; or

(ii)the arbitration agreement is not valid under the law to which the parties have subjected it or, failing any indication of that law, the laws of Kenya; or

(iii)the party making the application was not given proper notice of the appointment of an arbitrator or of the arbitral proceedings or was otherwise unable to present his case; or

(iv)the arbitral award deals with a dispute not contemplated by or not falling within the terms of the reference to arbitration or contains decisions on matters beyond the scope of the reference to arbitration, provided that if the decisions on matters referred to arbitration can be separated from those not so referred, only that part of the arbitral award which contains decisions on matters not referred to arbitration may be set aside; or

(v)the composition of the arbitral tribunal or the arbitral procedure was not in accordance with the agreement of the parties, unless that agreement was in conflict with a provision of this Act from which the parties cannot derogate; or failing such agreement, was not in accordance with this Act; or

(vi)the making of the award was induced or affected by fraud, bribery, undue influence or corruption;

(b)the High Court finds that—

(i)the subject-matter of the dispute is not capable of settlement by arbitration under the law of Kenya; or

(ii)the award is in conflict with the public policy of Kenya.

(3)An application for setting aside the arbitral award may not be made after 3 months have elapsed from the date on which the party making that application had received the arbitral award, or if a request had been made under section 34 from the date on which that request had been disposed of by the arbitral award.

(4)The High Court, when required to set aside an arbitral award, may, where appropriate and if so requested by a party suspend the proceedings to set aside the arbitral award for such period of time determined by it in order to give the arbitral tribunal an opportunity to resume the arbitral proceedings or to take such other action as in the opinion of the arbitral tribunal will eliminate the grounds for setting aside the arbitral award.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 26.]

Part VII – RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF AWARDS

36. Recognition and enforcement of awards

(1)A domestic arbitral award shall be recognized as binding and, upon application in writing to the High Court, shall be enforced subject to this section and section 37.

(2)An international arbitration award shall be recognised as binding and enforced in accordance to the provisions of the New York Convention or any other convention to which Kenya is signatory and relating to arbitral awards.

(3)Unless the High Court otherwise orders, the party relying on an arbitral award or applying for its enforcement must furnish—

(a)the original arbitral award or a duly certified copy of it; and

(b)the original arbitration agreement or a duly certified copy of it.

(4)If the arbitral award or arbitration agreement is not made in the English language, the party shall furnish a duly certified translation of it into the English language.

(5)In this section. the expression "New York Convention" means the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in New York on the 10th June, 1958, and acceded to by Kenya on the 10th February, 1989, with a reciprocity reservation.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 27.]

37. Grounds for refusal of recognition or enforcement

(1)The recognition or enforcement of an arbitral award, irrespective of the state in which it was made, may be refused only—

(a)at the request of the party against whom it is invoked, if that party furnishes to the High Court proof that—

(i)a party to the arbitration agreement was under some incapacity; or

(ii)the arbitration agreement is not valid under the law to which the parties have subjected it or, failing any indication of that law, under the law of the state where the arbitral award was made;

(iii)the party against whom the arbitral award is invoked was not given proper notice of the appointment of an arbitrator or of the arbitral proceedings or was otherwise unable to present his case; or

(iv)the arbitral award deals with a dispute not contemplated by or not falling within the terms of the reference to arbitration, or it contains decisions on matters beyond the scope of the reference to arbitration, provided that if the decisions on matters referred to arbitration can be separated from those not so referred, that part of the arbitral award which contains decisions on matters referred to arbitration may be recognised and enforced; or

(v)the composition of the arbitral tribunal or the arbitral procedure was not in accordance with the agreement of the parties or, failing any agreement by the parties, was not in accordance with the law of the state where the arbitration took place; or

(vi)the arbitral award has not yet become binding on the parties or has been set aside or suspended by a court of the state in which, or under the law of which, that arbitral award was made; or

(vii)the making of the arbitral award was induced or affected by fraud, bribery, corruption or undue influence;

(b)if the High Court finds that—

(i)the subject-matter of the dispute is not capable of settlement by arbitration under the law of Kenya; or

(ii)the recognition or enforcement of the arbitral award would be contrary to the public policy of Kenya.

(2)If an application for the setting aside or suspension of an arbitral award has been made to a court referred to in subsection (1)(a)(vi), the High Court may, if it considers it proper, adjourn its decision and may also, on the application of the party, claiming recognition or enforcement of the arbitral award, order the other party to provide appropriate security.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 28.]

Part VIII – MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

38. Effect of bankruptcy on agreement to settle differences by arbitration

(1)If—

(a)it is provided by a term in a contract to which a bankrupt is a party that any differences arising out of or in connection with the contract are to be referred to arbitration; and

(b)the bankruptcy trustee adopts the contract,

the term is enforceable by or against that trustee so far as relates to those differences.

(2)Subsection (3) applies if—

(a)a person who has been adjudged bankrupt had, before the commencement of the bankruptcy, become a party to an arbitration agreement;

(b)any matter to which the agreement applies requires to be determined in connection with or for the purposes of the bankruptcy proceedings;and

(c)the case is one to which subsection (1) does not apply.

(3)When this subsection applies, any other party to the agreement or—

(a)if there is no creditors' committee, the bankruptcy trustee; or

(b)if there is a creditors' committee, the bankruptcy trustee with the consent of the creditors' committee, may apply to the High Court for an order directing the relevant matter to be referred to arbitration in accordance with the agreement.

(4)On the hearing of an application made under subsection (3), the High Court may, if of the opinion that that matter ought to be determined by arbitration, make an order to that effect.

(5)This section applies if—

(a)the arbitration is a domestic one;

(b)the bankrupt is a citizen of, or ordinarily resides in, Kenya; or

(c)the law of Kenya is applicable according to the rules relating to the conflict of laws.

[Act No. 19 of 2015, s. 5.]

39. Questions of law arising in domestic arbitration

(1)Where in the case of a domestic arbitration, the parties have agreed that—

(a)an application by any party may be made to a court to determine any question of law arising in the course of the arbitration; or

(b)an appeal by any party may be made to a court on any question of law arising out of the award, such application or appeal, as the case may be, may be made to the High Court.

(2)On an application or appeal being made to it under subsection (1) the High Court shall—

(a)determine the question of law arising;

(b)confirm, vary or set aside the arbitral award or remit the matter to the arbitral tribunal for re-consideration or, where another arbitral tribunal has been appointed, to that arbitral tribunal for consideration.

(3)Notwithstanding sections 10 and 35 an appeal shall lie to the Court of Appeal against a decision of the High Court under subsection (2)—

(a)if the parties have so agreed that an appeal shall lie prior to the delivery of the arbitral award; or

(b)the Court of Appeal, being of the opinion that a point of law of general importance is involved the determination of which will substantially affect the rights of one or more of the parties, grants leave to appeal, and on such appeal the Court of Appeal may exercise any of the powers which the High Court could have exercised under subsection (2).

(4)An application or appeal under this section shall be made within the time limit and in the manner prescribed by the Rules of Court applicable, as the case may be, in the High Court or the Court of Appeal.

(5)When an arbitral award has been varied on appeal under this section, the award so varied shall have effect as if it were the award of the arbitral tribunal concerned.[Act No. 11 of 2009, s. 29.]

40. Rules

The Chief Justice may make rules of Court for—

(a)the recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards and all proceedings consequent thereon or incidental thereto;

(b)the filing of applications for setting aside arbitral awards;

(c)the staying of any suit or proceedings instituted in contravention of an arbitration agreement;

(d)generally all proceedings in court under this Act.

41. Government to be bound

This Act shall bind the Government.

42. [Spent]

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History of this document

31 December 2022 this version

Revised by 24th Annual Supplement

03 July 2017

Amended by Companies and Insolvency Legislation (Consequential Amendments) Act, 2015

15 April 2010

Amended by Arbitration (Amendment) Act, 2009

02 January 1996

Commenced by Arbitration Act Commencement

18 August 1995

Published in Kenya Gazette 44

10 August 1995

Assented to

Cited documents 0

Documents citing this one 974

Judgment 953

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2.	Euromec International Limited v Shandong Taikai Power Engineering Company Limited (Civil Case E527 of 2020) [2021] KEHC 93 (KLR) (Commercial and Tax) (21 September 2021) (Ruling)	36 citations
3.	Synergy Industrial Credit Limited v Cape Holdings Limited (Petition 2 of 2017) [2019] KESC 12 (KLR) (6 December 2019) (Judgment) (with dissent - DK Maraga, CJ & P)	31 citations
4.	Mall Developers Limited v Postal Corporation Of Kenya (Miscellaneous Civil Application 26 of 2013) [2014] KEHC 1464 (KLR) (Commercial and Tax) (30 October 2014) (Ruling)	22 citations
5.	Ngoge v Kaparo & 5 others (Petition 2 of 2012) [2012] KESC 7 (KLR) (4 September 2012) (Ruling)	15 citations
6.	Congress Rental South Africa v Kenyatta International Convention Centre; Co-operative Bank of Kenya Limited & KCB Bank Kenya Limited (Garnishee) (Miscellaneous Application 453 of 2018) [2018] KEHC 446 (KLR) (Civ) (20 December 2018) (Ruling)	10 citations
7.	University of Nairobi v Nyoro Construction Company Limited & another (Arbitration Cause E011 of 2021) [2021] KEHC 380 (KLR) (Commercial and Tax) (22 December 2021) (Ruling)	9 citations
8.	Safaricom Limited v Ocean View Beach Hotel Limited, Salim Sultan Moloo & Alsai (K) Limited (Civil Suit 51 of 2009) [2015] KEHC 6370 (KLR) (5 March 2015) (Ruling)	8 citations
9.	Castle Investments Company Limited v Board of Governors – Our Lady of Mercy Girls Secondary school (Miscellaneous Application 780 of 2017) [2019] KEHC 8208 (KLR) (Civ) (30 April 2019) (Ruling)	7 citations
10.	Centurion Engineers & Builders Limited v Kenya Bureau of Standards (Civil Appeal E398 of 2021) [2023] KECA 1289 (KLR) (27 October 2023) (Judgment)	6 citations

Act 7

1.	Limitation of Actions Act	3007 citations
2.	Labour Relations Act	1219 citations
3.	Community Land Act	117 citations
4.	Agriculture and Food Authority Act	60 citations
5.	Special Economic Zones Act	36 citations
6.	National Payment System Act	20 citations
7.	Seeds and Plant Varieties Act	10 citations

Legal Notice 5

1.	The Statutory Instruments (Exemption from Expiry) Regulations	1 citation
2.	The Forests (Participation in Sustainable Forest Management) Rules
3.	The Law Society of Kenya (Arbitration) Regulations, 1997
4.	The Statutory Instruments (Exemption from Expiry) Regulations
5.	The Survey Regulations

Bench Bulletin 4

1.	Bench Bulletin - Issue 13
2.	Bench Bulletin - Issue 21
3.	Bench Bulletin - Issue 28
4.	Bench Bulletin - Issue 54

Bill 3

1.	The Alternative Dispute Resolution Bill, 2019
2.	The Insolvency Bill, 2014
3.	The County Industrial Development Bill, 2013

Gazette 2

1.	Kenya Gazette Vol. CXIV-No. 42
2.	Kenya Gazette Vol. CXV-No. 92

Subsidiary legislation

Title		Date
The Arbitration Rules	Legal Notice 58 of 1997	31 December 2022