The National Assembly has opened public consultations on the Tourism (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which aims to streamline Kenya's tourism sector by merging state agencies with overlapping roles.
The Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife highlighted that the proposed legislation seeks to improve efficiency, accountability, and prudent use of public resources within the sector.
Key Provisions of the Bill
- Dissolution of the Tourism Research Institute (TRI) and Tourism Finance Corporation (TFC): Their functions and assets will be integrated into the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), expanding its mandate to include tourism research, market intelligence, data management, and industry learning platforms.
- Restructuring of the Tourism Fund: The fund's scope will broaden to support tourism product development, safety initiatives, innovation, crisis communication, and county co-financing, encouraging greater county participation in tourism development.
- Transitional Arrangements: Provisions will guide the smooth transfer of assets, licenses, staff, and ongoing legal matters to ensure seamless implementation.
The committee emphasized that the reforms aim to eliminate duplication among agencies and foster a coordinated approach to managing and developing the tourism industry. Public participation is both a constitutional mandate and an opportunity for citizens to influence the sector's legislative framework.
Tourism remains a vital contributor to Kenya's economy through foreign exchange earnings, employment, and support for local businesses. The proposed institutional changes are expected to enhance the sector's performance by optimizing resource utilization.
Members of the public are encouraged to review the Bill and submit their views or memoranda to the National Assembly as the legislation progresses through the parliamentary process.
