The Board of Management (BoM) is legal body answerable to the Government, through the parent responsible Ministry, for matters related KARI. The BoM has the responsibility to administer the resources of KARI in such a manner and for such purposes as will, in their opinion, promote the progress of the Institute in accordance with its national mandate. The Director supported by Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors, and Centre Director at the centre level does the daily administration of the institute. The BoM is constituted of two Committees that deal with finance and administration, and research and technical affairs of the institute to ensure efficiency of services delivered and technical outputs from the institute:

 The Finance and Administration Committee:

Comprises all appointed and relevant ex-officio members of the BoM. The Committee receives working papers from the management on matters related to finances, audit, assets; award of tenders; personnel matters including appointments, promotions, upgrading, discipline, retirement and other administrative affairs.

 Research and Technical Committee:

Comprises all the appointed members and relevant ex-officio members from the participating ministries and technical departments of the Government. The Research and Technical Committee receives working documents on technical and research aspects of managing the Institute's research programmes and projects including research mandates of various research centres, programmes supported by development partners; and aspects which have a technical bearing on the general performance of KARI.

The Audit Committee: 

This comprises all appointed and relevant ex-officio members of the BoM. The Committee receives audit reports from Internal audit Division and external auditors and gives recommendations of improving the internal controls. The Committee also reviews the implementation of the audit recommendation by management.