Kenya Met officials at a weather station /FILEThe government is proposing changes to how funds collected from air passengers are allocated, positioning the Kenya Meteorological Department for a windfall.
A new Bill seeks to include the department in the list of agencies that are entitled to a share of the air passenger service charge.
The Air Passenger Service Charge (Amendment) Bill, 2025, sponsored by majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah, seeks to expand this allocation to include two more beneficiaries.
“All proceeds of the charge (passenger service) shall be apportioned in a manner as the Cabinet Secretary (Transport) may by notice in the Kenya Gazette, specify,” the bill reads.
Currently, the amounts paid by travellers on both international and domestic flights are distributed among three entities: the Kenya Airports Authority, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and the Tourism Promotion Fund.
If approved, the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority would be allocated a portion to support weather-related aviation safety and services.
Individuals who purchase a ticket for a domestic or international flight pay a passenger service fee of Sh600 and $50 (approximately Sh6,400), respectively.
Presently, KAA gets 60 per cent of the proceeds from international flights, while 20 per cent goes to the KCAA and 20 per cent to the Tourism Promotion Fund.
Local flight proceeds are shared at 50 per cent, 30 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively, as per an order issued effective December 31, 2022.
MPs have been calling for more transparency in the management of these funds and for the amounts to be disclosed to the public.
The existing law grants the Transport CS powers to vary the ratios of allocating the funds to the current three beneficiaries.
With increased funding, the KMD could invest in advanced weather monitoring systems, which would reduce flight delays and improve safety standards.
The met department has long struggled with underfunding, affecting its ability to deliver timely and accurate weather updates.
In interactions with Members of Parliament, the department has advocated for a dedicated revenue stream from passenger charges, arguing that it would significantly improve its operations.
The Bill also seeks to reallocate proceeds designated for the Tourism Promotion Fund to the Tourism Fund, to eliminate duplication of roles.
“This would limit duplication of roles, improve efficiency and enable the government to support the financing of tourism-related projects from a single source,” Ichung’wah said in the bill’s memorandum.
The funds would be useful for “projects that require strategic and sometimes blended funding approaches”.
“This would ensure efficiency in public resource utilisation,” the memo reads.
Parliament has invited members of the public to give their views on the proposed law by next Wednesday in line with public participation rules.
President William Ruto’s administration has been on a rallying call for the prudent allocation of public resources to enhance service delivery in key sectors.
The changes, if enacted, could pave the way for more reliable meteorological services and a more streamlined approach to tourism development.
