The National Assembly has passed the Air Passenger Service Charge (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (National Assembly Bill No. 35 of 2025), introducing key changes to how revenues from air travel fees will be shared.

The Bill amends the Air Passenger Service Charge Act (Cap. 475) to expand the list of beneficiaries from the charge beyond the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) to include the Tourism Fund and the proposed Kenya Meteorological Service Authority (KMSA).

Debate and Sponsorship

The legislation, which had been under debate since August, was sponsored by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.

It seeks to strengthen funding for critical institutions in the aviation and tourism sectors while addressing duplication of roles in financing mechanisms.

During its debate stage, lawmakers underscored the importance of broadening the scope of the charge to ensure sustainability and efficiency in resource allocation.

Changes to Tourism Funding

Currently, the passenger service charge—paid by both domestic and international travelers—has been distributed among the KAA, KCAA, and the Tourism Promotion Fund.

The amendment reassigns the portion previously allocated to the Tourism Promotion Fund to the Tourism Fund, which is established under the Tourism Act (Cap. 381).

According to lawmakers, this shift is intended to eliminate overlaps in funding, enhance operational efficiency, and centralize financing for tourism projects.

The centralization, they noted, would particularly benefit initiatives requiring strategic or blended financing models.

Boost for Meteorological Services

In addition, the Bill provides financial backing for the proposed Kenya Meteorological Service Authority. Clause 30 of the Meteorology Bill, 2023 outlines the creation of the KMSA, which has faced long-standing challenges of underfunding.

Lawmakers stressed that inadequate funding for meteorological services has hampered timely and accurate weather forecasting, affecting not only air travel safety but also sectors such as agriculture, disaster preparedness, and national planning.

Next Steps

While moving the Bill, Hon. Ichung’wah highlighted that expanding the list of beneficiaries is a strategic intervention.

“By including the Tourism Fund and the Meteorological Service Authority, this amendment ensures that resources are directed where they are most impactful, reducing waste and increasing accountability,” he told the House.

The passage of the Bill now paves the way for its transmission to the Senate for concurrence before it can be assented into law by the President.

If enacted, the new structure will redefine how revenues from one of the country’s key aviation levies are utilized, with broader implications for air travel operations, tourism development, and national meteorological services.

Members of Parliament during a parliamentary session at the National Assembly. PHOTO/ Parliament of Kenya, Facebook.