Kilifi North MP, Hon. Owen Baya has proposed two legislative measures aimed at strengthening Kenya’s agricultural value chains and formalizing maritime training in the country.
Appearing before the National Assembly’s Budget and Appropriations Committee, the legislator presented the Nuts and Oil Crops Bill, 2025, and the Bandari Maritime Academy Bill, 2025, both of which are subject to financial consideration before proceeding in the legislative process.
While presenting the Nuts and Oil Crops Bill, 2025, Hon. Baya proposed the establishment of the Nuts and Oil Crops Development Board of Kenya, a nine-member body tasked with overseeing the development and regulation of the subsector.
The proposed board will be responsible for regulating the production, processing, marketing, development, and promotion of nuts and oil crops across the country.
Hon. Baya explained that the board would play a central role in strengthening the industry and coordinating stakeholders across the value chain.
“The functions of the board shall be to regulate and promote the development of the nuts and oil crops industry; facilitate the sale, importation, and exportation of nuts and oil crops products; impose a levy or levies on manufacturing, imports, or exports; and establish linkages with research institutions, amongst other functions,” said Hon. Baya.
The Bill also proposes the establishment of the Nuts and Oil Crops Research Institute, which will undertake research aimed at promoting the development and productivity of nuts and oil crops in Kenya.
Management of the institute will be vested in a governing council responsible for leadership, strategy, and policy direction in the subsector. A Director General, recruited by the council, will oversee the day-to-day operations of the institute.
Hon. Baya also presented the Bandari Maritime Academy Bill, 2025, which seeks to formally establish the Bandari Maritime Academy as a national maritime training institution through an Act of Parliament.
“The key functions of the proposed academy will be provision of maritime education, training, research and consultancy services in the field of maritime,” said Hon. Baya.
The proposed legislation provides for the management of the academy through a nine-member board, including a chairperson. It further empowers the Cabinet Secretary responsible for maritime affairs, in consultation with the board, to establish additional campuses under the academy.
The Bill also proposes the creation of an internally constituted Academic Council, which will be chaired by the Director General and will oversee academic matters within the institution.
Currently, the Bandari Maritime Academy operates as a Semi-Autonomous Government Agency (SAGA) established through the Bandari Maritime Academy Order, 2018. If the Bill is enacted, the institution will instead be formally established through an Act of Parliament, providing a stronger legal and governance framework.
The legislation also proposes to increase the number of board sittings allowed annually from the current four to ten in order to enhance oversight and operational efficiency.
The Budget and Appropriations Committee, chaired by Samuel Atandi, will now consider the two money bills and make recommendations on whether the legislative proposals should proceed to publication in their current form, be amended, or be rejected.
By Anthony Solly
