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Members of Parliament have expressed concern over the proposed 2026/27 budget after key tourism agencies were left without any funding allocation, warning that the move could undermine Kenya’s tourism growth strategy.
The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife questioned the decision to exclude several Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs) under the State Department for Tourism, despite their central role in promoting and regulating the sector.
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The affected institutions include the Tourism Regulatory Authority, Tourism Research Institute, Kenya Tourism Board, Kenya Utalii College, Tourism Fund, and the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.
The issue came up during discussions between the committee and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano on the 2026/27 budget estimates for the State Department for Tourism.
Committee chair Kareke Mbiuki warned that denying funding to these agencies could weaken efforts to position Kenya as a leading global tourism destination.
MP Innocent Mugabe criticized the National Treasury’s decision, arguing that the agencies are vital to the sector and should instead receive increased funding rather than zero allocation.
He emphasized that the SAGAs play a crucial role in tourism promotion and should not be left unfunded.
CS Miano, meanwhile, apologized for missing two earlier committee sessions, citing official duties at the Africa Forward Summit.
The committee was also informed that the State Department for Tourism has been allocated Sh17.9 billion in the 2026/27 budget, with Sh11.9 billion set aside for recurrent expenditure and Sh6 billion for development projects.
