Members of Parliament in Kenya have voiced serious concerns regarding the proposed 2026/27 budget, specifically highlighting the complete exclusion of crucial tourism agencies from financial allocations. This move, they warn, poses a significant threat to Kenya's tourism growth agenda and its efforts to market the nation as a premier global destination.

The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife, during a meeting with Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, questioned the rationale behind denying funds to several Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs) under the State Department for Tourism. These agencies are considered central to the regulation, research, marketing, and development of the sector. The affected entities include the Tourism Regulatory Authority, Tourism Research Institute, Kenya Tourism Board, Kenya Utalii College, Tourism Fund, and Kenyatta International Convention Centre.

Committee chairman Kareke Mbiuki emphasized that starving these vital agencies of funds would directly impede Kenya's marketing endeavors. MP Innocent Mugabe further criticized the National Treasury's decision, asserting that SAGAs are critical players in tourism promotion and deserve increased funding, not nil budgets. He stated, "SAGAs are key players in promotion of tourism. They deserve to be given more money and not to be allocated a nil budget."

During the session, Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano apologized for her absence from two prior committee meetings, attributing it to official engagements at the Africa Forward Summit. Despite the zero allocation for these specific agencies, the committee was informed that the State Department for Tourism itself has been allocated a substantial Sh17.9 billion in the 2026/27 budget estimates. This allocation comprises Sh11.9 billion for recurrent expenditure and Sh6 billion for development spending, underscoring the paradox of a well-funded department alongside unfunded critical operational bodies.