Kenya Tourism Sector in Crisis as Parliament Raises Alarm Over Zero Funding for Key Agencies
Kenyan Members of Parliament have raised alarms over the proposed 2026/27 budget, which completely excludes key tourism agencies from financial allocations. They warn that this oversight could severely jeopardize Kenya's tourism growth and marketing efforts, despite a significant overall budget for the State Department for Tourism.
Kenya’s National Assembly has raised alarm over the proposed 2026/27 budget following the complete exclusion of key tourism agencies from government funding. Lawmakers warned that the decision could severely undermine the country’s tourism growth strategy and weaken ongoing efforts to position Kenya as a leading global travel destination.
The concerns were raised during a session of the Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife with Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano.
The committee questioned the National Treasury’s decision to assign zero funding to several Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies under the State Department for Tourism. The affected institutions include the Tourism Regulatory Authority, Kenya Tourism Board, Tourism Research Institute, Kenya Utalii College, Tourism Fund, and the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.
Legislators argued that these agencies play central roles in regulation, marketing, research, and development of the tourism sector and should not be left unfunded.
Committee chairman Kareke Mbiuki warned that the move could directly hinder tourism promotion and national revenue generation. MP Innocent Mugabe also criticized the decision, stressing that these agencies require stronger financial support rather than budget cuts.
While the agencies received no allocation, the State Department for Tourism itself was allocated Sh17.9 billion, creating concern over a mismatch between departmental funding and the operational needs of its key institutions.