President William Ruto on Friday morning signed three key pieces of legislation into law during a ceremony at State House Nairobi, marking significant reforms in the coffee sector, railway infrastructure financing, and meteorological services.
The newly enacted laws include the Miscellaneous Fees and Levies (Amendment) Act, 2026, the Coffee Act, 2023 (Mediated Version), and the Meteorology Act, 2023.
Coffee sector reforms
The Coffee Act, 2023 introduces sweeping reforms aimed at strengthening the regulation and development of Kenya’s coffee industry.
Under the new law, regulatory and commercial functions previously carried out by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) will be transferred to the Coffee Board of Kenya, which will now oversee the sector.
The board will be responsible for processing permits and licences, registering coffee dealers, and overseeing the implementation of industry strategies, policies, and financing models. It will also collect and maintain sector data, conduct market intelligence, and promote Kenyan coffee in both local and international markets.
Additionally, the board will support the application of the Kenya Coffee Mark of Origin, develop industry standards in collaboration with the Kenya Bureau of Standards, and promote digital marketing initiatives to expand global markets for Kenyan coffee.
The Act also grants the board powers to facilitate technology transfer to county governments, build capacity among industry players, promote regional coffee appellations, and coordinate Kenya’s participation in international coffee forums.
New research institute for coffee
The legislation further restructures coffee research by transferring the role currently performed by the Coffee Research Institute to a newly created Coffee Research and Training Institute.
The institute will focus on advancing research and training within the coffee sector. Its mandate includes developing systems to support sustainable coffee production, conducting research on crop diseases, and developing improved coffee varieties.
It will also promote the adoption of modern production technologies to enhance productivity and resilience across the industry.
Expansion of Railway Development Levy
The Miscellaneous Fees and Levies (Amendment) Act, 2026 expands the scope of the Railway Development Levy, allowing funds collected through the levy to support a broader range of railway infrastructure projects beyond the Standard Gauge Railway.
The law establishes the Railway Development Levy Fund, where all revenue collected through the levy will be deposited. The fund is intended to ensure that resources are properly managed and specifically directed toward railway infrastructure development.
Under the new framework, the levy may also support the rehabilitation of existing railway systems and the regulation and safety of railway infrastructure.
Approval from both the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and the Transport Cabinet Secretary will be required before funds are used for rehabilitation projects.
The Act also establishes the Railway Development Fund Board, a corporate body tasked with managing the fund, approving programmes and budgets, and ensuring the efficient use of resources.
New framework for meteorological services
The Meteorology Act, 2023 introduces a comprehensive legal framework for regulating meteorological services in Kenya and coordinating their delivery nationwide.
The law establishes the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority, which will serve as the principal technical adviser to both national and county governments on weather and climate matters.
The authority will oversee meteorological data systems, forecasting operations, and the dissemination of weather advisories and warnings aimed at reducing disaster risks through early warning systems.
The new law also ensures Kenya complies with international obligations under the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation and standards set by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO.
Training and research development
The Act further establishes the Meteorology Training and Research Directorate, which will replace the Institute for Meteorological Training and Research.
The directorate will serve as a regional training centre accredited by the World Meteorological Organization, offering certificate, diploma and professional programmes in meteorology, operational hydrology and related sciences.
In addition, the authority will have the power to register weather stations, coordinate meteorological research, and identify sites for observation stations through agreements with landowners.
The legislation also introduces protections for intellectual property related to meteorological data, innovations and advisory services, while outlining offences that may disrupt the delivery of weather and climate services.
Strengthening governance frameworks
The signing of the three laws signals the government’s effort to modernise regulatory frameworks in agriculture, transport infrastructure financing and climate services.
Officials say the reforms are expected to improve sector governance, enhance research and innovation, and strengthen Kenya’s capacity to support economic development and disaster preparedness.
