List of Parastatals in Kenya: Government-Owned Entities Across Various Sectors

In Kenya, parastatals (also known as state corporations) are vital institutions owned and controlled by the government. These organizations have played a significant role in various sectors, ranging from agriculture and infrastructure to education, healthcare, and energy. According to the State Corporations Act, these parastatals are created either by an act of Parliament or by government order to serve public interests.

Kenya has over 246 parastatals, each contributing to the country’s growth and development by providing essential goods and services. These entities are responsible for a wide range of activities, from managing critical resources like water, energy, and roads, to conducting research and supporting innovation in various fields.

As of 2026, Kenya’s parastatal sector is undergoing a major transformation under the Government Owned Enterprises (GOE) Act 2025. This law reconstitutes existing parastatals into public limited liability companies to enforce commercial viability and self-sustainability. 

A significant reform plan approved in 2025 is currently in progress to merge 42 state corporations into 20 entities and dissolve nine others to eliminate redundancies and reduce fiscal pressure. 

Key Parastatals by Sector

Parastatals are generally classified by the ministry they fall under and their specific function (commercial vs. regulatory). 

• Energy & Petroleum: Includes Kenya Power, KenGen, Geothermal Development Company (GDC), and the National Oil Corporation of Kenya (NOCK).
• Infrastructure & Transport: Major entities include Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Kenya Railways Corporation, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).
• Finance & Investment: Includes the Central Bank of Kenya, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), National Social Security Fund (NSSF), and Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC).
• Agriculture: Key players are the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC), and New KCC.
• Health & Education: Major institutions include Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), and Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC). 

Major 2025–2026 Structural Reforms 

The government is streamlining the sector through mergers, dissolutions, and privatisations. 

• Key Mergers:
  • HELB and the University Fund are merging into a single entity.
  • Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) and Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) are being consolidated.
  • Kenya Tourism Board and Tourism Research Institute are merging.
• Dissolutions: Nine entities, including the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency and the Kenya Film Classification Board, are being dissolved, with functions integrated into parent ministries.
• Privatisation Programme: 11 parastatals were earmarked for sale to attract private capital, including the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), and Kenya Literature Bureau (KLB). KPC is specifically targeted for an IPO by March 31, 2026. 

New Governance Framework

Under the GOE Act 2025:

• Profit Orientation: Entities must operate as commercial organisations that are profit-oriented, self-financing, and self-sustaining.
• Board Independence: Each GOE is governed by a 9-member board, including six independent directors selected through a competitive process.
• Funding Cuts: Funding for dissolved or merged agencies is being phased out by mid-2026, with current allocations primarily limited to staff salaries during the transition

Here is a list of parastatals in Kenya, categorized based on their sectors and functions:

1. Agricultural Sector Parastatals

• Agricultural Development Corporation
• Agricultural Finance Corporation
• Agriculture and Food Authority
• Agro-Chemical & Food Company Limited
• Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization
• Kenya Dairy Board

2. Education Sector Parastatals

• Chuka University
• Egerton University
• Garissa University
• Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology
• Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development
• Kenya Institute of Mass Communication
• Kenya National Examinations Council

3. Health Sector Parastatals

• Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)
• Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA)
• Kenya Medical Training College
• Kenyatta National Hospital
• Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital
• National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF)

4. Energy & Infrastructure Parastatals

• Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen)
• Kenya Pipeline Company Ltd
• Kenya Power and Lighting Company Ltd (KPLC)
• Kenya Roads Board
• Kenya Railways Corporation
• Kenya Ports Authority
• Kenya Airports Authority
• Kenya Civil Aviation Authority

5. Financial Sector Parastatals

• Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)
• National Social Security Fund (NSSF)
• National Bank of Kenya
• Deposit Protection Fund
• Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA)
• Capital Markets Authority

6. Water & Environment Parastatals

• Kenya Water Institute
• Kenya Wildlife Service
• National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
• Water Resources Authority
• Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency

7. Industrial & Commercial Parastatals

• Kenya Industrial Estates Ltd.
• Kenya Industrial Property Institute
• Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute
• Kenya Bureau of Standards
• Kenya Tourism Board
• Kenya Broadcasting Corporation

8. Regulatory and Service Parastatals

• Kenya Bureau of Standards
• Public Procurement Regulatory Authority
• Competition Authority of Kenya
• Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC)
• Communication Authority of Kenya

9. Transport & Safety Parastatals

• Kenya Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA)
• Kenya Maritime Authority
• Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA)
• Kenya Ferry Services

10. Research and Development Parastatals

• Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)
• Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI)
• Kenya Forestry Research Institute
• Tea Research Foundation of Kenya

11. Other Notable Parastatals

• Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC)
• National Aids Control Council (NACC)
• Kenya Institute of Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA)
• National Commission for Science, Technology, and Innovation (NACOSTI)

List Of Parastatals In Kenya

Conclusion:

Parastatals in Kenya are instrumental in supporting various sectors of the economy and providing essential services to citizens. These organizations operate under government ownership, ensuring that vital services, from education to healthcare and infrastructure, are efficiently provided.

For further information about a specific parastatal or to find contact details, many of these agencies maintain their own websites and communication channels to assist the public.