Natural Resource Governance in DRC and Kenya: Comparative Analysis of Local Community Rights Laws

Natural resource governance in DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) and Kenya is characterized by complex legal frameworks that often fail to adequately protect local communities' rights. Qualitative comparative analysis was employed by reviewing national laws and relevant case studies from both countries to identify similarities and differences in legal provisions regarding local communities' rights to natural resources. The findings highlight that while both countries have enacted legislation, DRC's implementation lags behind Kenya's due to administrative challenges and corruption, resulting in less robust enforcement of community rights laws. Despite some similarities, the study reveals distinct disparities in how local communities are governed and protected by law in these two African nations. The recommendations include strengthening legal frameworks with more stringent oversight mechanisms and increasing public awareness campaigns to ensure better compliance with existing laws.