Kenya’s tourism sector could undergo a major restructuring if proposed changes to the law are approved, with Parliament seeking public views on a Bill that would dissolve two key agencies and hand their functions to the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB).
The National Assembly on Tuesday invited Kenyans, tourism stakeholders and other interested parties to submit their views on the Tourism (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to reorganise the way tourism research, financing and development functions are managed.
The Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife is handling the Bill as it prepares to undertake the public participation process.
Among the biggest changes proposed is the dissolution of the Tourism Research Institute (TRI) and the Tourism Finance Corporation (TFC), with their functions and assets set to be transferred to KTB.
Parliament says the move is intended to reduce duplication among State agencies and ensure public resources are used more efficiently.
“Objective of the Bill is to streamline the management of the tourism sector by merging overlapping State Agencies and consolidating their functions for greater efficiency, accountability and service delivery, hence prudent use of public funds,” the parliamentary notice said.
If enacted, KTB would assume a wider role in the sector, taking responsibility for tourism research, market intelligence, data and statistics, as well as industry learning platforms.
The Bill also proposes changes to the Tourism Fund, expanding the areas where the fund can be used. These would include tourism product development, safety, innovation, crisis communication and co-financing programmes with county governments.
The proposed changes would therefore alter how several tourism-related functions currently handled by separate institutions are administered.
Parliament has also proposed transitional measures to guide the restructuring and ensure services continue during the changeover. The measures cover the transfer of assets, ongoing legal matters, licences and staff to KTB.
The National Assembly said public participation is an important part of the law-making process and gives citizens an opportunity to influence proposed changes before they are considered further.
“Public participation is a constitutional obligation and an opportunity for Kenyans to contribute to the law-making process,” the parliamentary communication said.
The House has urged members of the public and tourism stakeholders to read the Bill, prepare their views or memoranda and submit them to Parliament.
“Read the Bill, Prepare your views or memoranda and send them to the National Assembly. Copies of the Bill are available on www.parliament.go.ke,” the notice said.
The committee is particularly seeking views on the proposed merger of the agencies, the expanded responsibilities of KTB, changes to the Tourism Fund and the transitional arrangements for staff, assets, licences and legal matters.
The proposed restructuring comes as the government moves to improve coordination within the tourism sector by bringing related functions under fewer institutions and cutting duplication of roles.
Public participation will give Kenyans and other interested parties an opportunity to raise concerns, suggest changes or support provisions they believe could benefit the tourism industry before the Bill advances through the legislative process.
The National Assembly has encouraged citizens to take part in the process, reminding them that they have a constitutional right to contribute to the making of laws that affect the tourism sector.