By Dorothy Musyoka
President William Ruto has signed into law three significant pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening Kenya’s coffee industry, improving railway infrastructure financing and enhancing the regulation of meteorological services.
The President assented to the Miscellaneous Fees and Levies (Amendment) Act, 2026, the Coffee Act, 2023 and the Meteorology Act, 2023 at State House Nairobi.
The new Coffee Act, 2023 is expected to transform the country’s coffee sector by improving governance, regulation, and development of the industry.
The law establishes the Coffee Board of Kenya, which will oversee regulation and promotion of the sector. It also creates the Coffee Research and Training Institute to support innovation, research and capacity building for farmers and other stakeholders in the value chain.
The Miscellaneous Fees and Levies (Amendment) Act, 2026 broadens the scope of the Railway Development Levy, allowing the funds to support railway infrastructure beyond the Standard Gauge Railway.
The law also strengthens the financing and management of the levy and establishes the Railway Development Fund Board, which will be responsible for administering and managing the Railway Development Levy Fund.
Meanwhile, the Meteorology Act, 2023 provides a comprehensive legal framework for regulating meteorological services in the country.
The legislation aims to enhance coordination in the delivery of weather and climate information and improve the management of meteorological services nationwide.
The three new laws are expected to support key sectors of the economy by improving regulatory structures, strengthening institutions and promoting sustainable development.