National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah has
introduced a raft of bills to streamline state corporations by eliminating
overlapping mandates, consolidating institutions and transferring functions to
other government bodies.
Kenya has more than 150 parastatals.
If enacted, the reforms will end the tenure of the current
leadership of the agencies, even if they are serving fixed-term contracts.
Under existing government policy, board chairpersons,
directors and CEOs of parastatals generally serve renewable three-year terms,
with a maximum of two terms.
The proposed legislation would dissolve the entities,
automatically ending those appointments.
Ordinary employees are expected to escape mass layoffs and
most are likely to be absorbed into successor institutions or government
ministries.
One agency targeted for abolition is the Kenya Film
Classification Board through the Film and Stage Plays (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The board is chaired by media personality John Njogu
Njoroge, while Nelly Muluka Oluoch is acting CEO.
The Bill proposes transferring the board's functions to
another government structure, effectively winding up the agency that has
regulated film and stage productions for decades.
The Tourism (Amendment) Bill, 2026 proposes abolishing the
Tourism Research Institute and transferring some of its responsibilities to the
Kenya Tourism Board.
The same Bill also would repeal provisions establishing the
Tourism Finance Corporation and its fund in wider reforms to streamline tourism
sector institutions.
The Kenya Intellectual Property Bill, 2026, proposes merging
the Kenya Industrial Property Institute, the Kenya Copyright Board and the
Anti-Counterfeit Authority into a single body.
The new institution, to be known as the Kenya Intellectual
Property Authority, would become the sole agency responsible for administering
intellectual property laws, registering rights and enforcing protections
against infringement.
The Investment and Export Promotion Authority Bill, 2026
proposes another high-profile merger of the Kenya Investment Authority and the
Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency.
The two institutions would be combined to form the Kenya
Investment and Export Promotion Authority.
The Bill says it is intended to modernise and strengthen
Kenya's investment and export promotion framework.
The Kenya Investment Authority is headed by CEO John Mwendwa
and Board chairperson Sally Mahihu.
The Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency is chaired by
Dennis Mwirigi with Floice Mukabana serving as CEO.
The water sector also faces significant changes.
The Water (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposes merging the
National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority with the National Irrigation
Authority to establish the National Irrigation and Water Harvesting Authority.
A companion measure, the Irrigation (Amendment) Bill, 2026,
amends the Irrigation Act to facilitate the merger.
The National Irrigation Authority is chaired by Gilbert
Maluki, with Charles Muasya as CEO.
The National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority is
chaired by Jane Mwikali, while Julius Muguna serves as CEO.
Another far-reaching proposal is contained in the Regional
Development Authorities Laws (Repeal) Bill, 2026.
The Bill seeks to repeal laws establishing regional
development authorities, dissolve the agencies and transfer their assets,
liabilities, rights and obligations to the state department under the National
Treasury designated by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance.
The restructuring is intended to align the functions of
national agencies with the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution while reducing
budgetary pressure, eliminating duplication of roles and improving efficiency,
accountability and service delivery.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wa
