Methane emissions in Kenya
Kenya: Methane emissions was 53.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
53.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
Change on year
up 0.1%
World rank
32nd
of 199 countries
All-time high
54.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 2020
All-time low
2.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 1850
Years of data
175
1850–2024
Methane emissions in Kenya, 1850–2024
Source: Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes of CO₂ equivalents.
Analysis
In 2024, methane emissions in Kenya stood at 53.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents.
That represents a change of up 0.1% on the previous year and up 31.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, methane emissions in Kenya peaked at 54.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2020 and was at its lowest, 2.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, in 1850.
Kenya ranks 32nd of 199 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Methane emissions in Kenya, year by year
| Year | tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 2.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | — |
| 1851 | 2.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1852 | 2.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1853 | 2.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1854 | 2.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1855 | 2.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1856 | 2.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1857 | 2.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1858 | 2.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1859 | 2.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1860 | 2.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1861 | 2.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1862 | 2.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1863 | 2.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1864 | 2.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1865 | 2.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1866 | 2.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1867 | 2.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1868 | 2.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1869 | 2.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1870 | 2.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1871 | 2.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1872 | 2.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1873 | 2.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1874 | 2.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1875 | 2.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1876 | 2.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1877 | 2.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1878 | 2.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1879 | 2.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1880 | 2.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1881 | 2.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1882 | 2.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1883 | 2.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1884 | 2.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1885 | 2.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1886 | 2.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1887 | 2.98 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1888 | 2.99 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1889 | 3.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1890 | 3.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.1% |
| 1891 | 3.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1892 | 3.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1893 | 3.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1894 | 3.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1895 | 3.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1896 | 3.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1897 | 3.08 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1898 | 3.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1899 | 3.11 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1900 | 3.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1901 | 3.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1902 | 3.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1903 | 3.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1904 | 3.27 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.4% |
| 1905 | 3.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.4% |
| 1906 | 3.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1907 | 3.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1908 | 3.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1909 | 3.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1910 | 3.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1911 | 3.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.8% |
| 1912 | 3.71 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.8% |
| 1913 | 3.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.1% |
| 1914 | 4.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1915 | 4.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1916 | 4.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1917 | 4.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1918 | 4.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1919 | 4.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1920 | 4.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1921 | 4.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1922 | 4.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1923 | 4.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1924 | 4.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1925 | 4.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1926 | 4.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1927 | 5.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1928 | 5.11 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1929 | 5.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1930 | 5.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1931 | 5.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1932 | 5.50 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1933 | 5.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1934 | 5.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1935 | 5.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1936 | 5.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.4% |
| 1937 | 6.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1938 | 6.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1939 | 6.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1940 | 6.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1941 | 6.63 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1942 | 6.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1943 | 6.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1944 | 7.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.5% |
| 1945 | 7.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1946 | 8.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +10.1% |
| 1947 | 8.23 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1948 | 8.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.5% |
| 1949 | 8.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1950 | 8.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1951 | 9.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1952 | 9.27 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1953 | 9.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1954 | 9.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1955 | 10.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1956 | 10.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1957 | 10.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1958 | 10.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1959 | 11.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1960 | 11.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1961 | 11.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1962 | 12.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1963 | 11.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.6% |
| 1964 | 12.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.7% |
| 1965 | 12.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1966 | 12.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1967 | 12.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 12.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1969 | 12.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.0% |
| 1970 | 13.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.2% |
| 1971 | 14.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1972 | 14.46 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1973 | 14.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1974 | 14.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1975 | 15.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1976 | 15.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.1% |
| 1977 | 15.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1978 | 16.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.5% |
| 1979 | 18.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.4% |
| 1980 | 17.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -5.9% |
| 1981 | 17.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.4% |
| 1982 | 18.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.6% |
| 1983 | 20.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +9.8% |
| 1984 | 21.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.4% |
| 1985 | 21.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.3% |
| 1986 | 21.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1987 | 21.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1988 | 23.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.9% |
| 1989 | 23.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.0% |
| 1990 | 24.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1991 | 23.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.5% |
| 1992 | 24.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1993 | 24.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1994 | 24.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1995 | 24.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1996 | 23.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.6% |
| 1997 | 23.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1998 | 24.23 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1999 | 25.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.5% |
| 2000 | 24.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -5.2% |
| 2001 | 24.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 2002 | 25.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.1% |
| 2003 | 26.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.5% |
| 2004 | 28.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.8% |
| 2005 | 27.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.5% |
| 2006 | 27.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.6% |
| 2007 | 39.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +42.6% |
| 2008 | 40.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 2009 | 39.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.9% |
| 2010 | 39.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 2011 | 40.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 2012 | 40.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.0% |
| 2013 | 40.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.6% |
| 2014 | 41.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 2015 | 41.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 2016 | 44.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.0% |
| 2017 | 42.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.6% |
| 2018 | 44.19 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.5% |
| 2019 | 49.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +11.5% |
| 2020 | 54.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +10.5% |
| 2021 | 50.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -7.5% |
| 2022 | 51.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 2023 | 53.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.8% |
| 2024 | 53.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
Kenya compared with similar countries
- Kenya's 53.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 11.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 4.7× the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Kenya's 53.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 13.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 4.1× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Methane emissions in Kenya changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | +42.6% | 27.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 39.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850s | 2.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 2.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 2.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1860s | 2.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 2.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 2.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1870s | 2.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 2.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 2.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1880s | 2.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 2.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 3.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1890s | 3.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 3.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 3.11 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1900s | 3.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 3.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 3.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1910s | 3.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 3.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 4.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1920s | 4.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 4.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1930s | 5.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 6.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1940s | 7.50 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 6.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 8.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1950s | 9.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 8.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 11.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1960s | 12.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 11.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 12.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1970s | 15.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 13.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 18.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1980s | 20.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 17.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 23.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1990s | 24.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 23.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 25.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2000s | 30.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 24.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 40.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2010s | 42.49 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 39.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 49.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2020s | 52.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 50.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 54.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5 |
Countries ranked near Kenya
- 29 Myanmar 56.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 30 Germany 56.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 31 Kazakhstan 54.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 33 Uzbekistan 52.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 34 Democratic Republic of Congo 52.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 35 Ukraine 52.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
More climate change data for Kenya
- Nutrient nitrogen N (total) — Synthetic fertilizers (Agricultural) 276.34 million kg (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 50,641 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 16,186 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 34,454 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 61.08 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 1,231 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 2,372 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 2,116 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 255.67 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 7.99 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is methane emissions in Kenya?
- Methane emissions in Kenya was 53.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024, according to Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest methane emissions recorded in Kenya?
- The highest recorded value was 54.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2020.
- What is the lowest methane emissions recorded in Kenya?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1850.
- How does Kenya rank for methane emissions?
- Kenya ranks 32nd out of 199 countries with data for 2024.
- Is methane emissions rising or falling in Kenya?
- Over the last ten years it is up 31.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Kenya data come from?
- The figures come from Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Methane emissions. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 175 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalents over a 100-year timescale.