Overview of State Corporations in Kenya

Introduction

State corporations, commonly referred to as parastatals, are entities in which the Kenyan government holds a majority stake. These organizations operate across various sectors of the economy and are established under the State Corporations Act, Cap 446, specific acts of Parliament, or the Companies Act. Initially focused on agriculture, state corporations have expanded to influence nearly every facet of Kenya’s economic landscape, from education and health to infrastructure and technology. This document provides a comprehensive list and classification of Kenya’s over 246 state corporations, highlighting their roles and sectoral contributions.

Role and Economic Impact

State corporations play a pivotal role in driving Kenya’s economic and social development. They deliver essential services, regulate industries, foster innovation, and support regional growth. By operating in diverse sectors, these entities contribute to job creation, infrastructure development, and policy implementation, aligning with national development goals such as Vision 2030.

List of State Corporations

Below is a detailed compilation of Kenya’s state corporations, showcasing their extensive presence across multiple sectors:

Agricultural Development Corporation
Agricultural Finance Corporation
Agriculture and Food Authority
Agro-Chemical & Food Company Limited
Alupe University
Anti-FGM Board
Anti-Counterfeit Authority
Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya
Assets Recovery Agency
Athi Water Works Development Agency
Bandari Maritime Academy
Biosafety Appeals Board
Bukura Agricultural College
Kenya BIOVAX Institute Limited
Bomas of Kenya Limited
Business Registration Service
Capital Markets Authority
Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency
Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology in Africa
Chemelil Sugar Company Limited
Chuka University
Coast Development Authority
Coast Water Works Development Agency
Commission for University Education
Commodities Fund
Communications Authority of Kenya
Competition Authority of Kenya
Co-operative University of Kenya
Council for Legal Education
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology
East African Portland Cement Company Limited
Egerton University
Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority
Engineers Board of Kenya
Ewaso Ng’iro North River Basin Development Authority
Ewaso Ng’iro South Development Authority
Export Processing Zones Authority
Fish Levy Trust Fund
Garissa University
Geothermal Development Company Limited
Higher Education Loans Board
Human Resource Management Professionals Examination Board
Hydrologists Registration Board
Information and Communications Technology Authority
Insurance Regulatory Authority
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology
Jomo Kenyatta Foundation
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
Kaimosi Friends University
Kenya Academy of Sports
Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examinations Board
Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization
Kenya Airports Authority
Kenya Animal Genetic Resource Centre
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation
Kenya Bureau of Standards
Kenya Civil Aviation Authority
Kenya Copyright Board
Kenya Cultural Centre
Kenya Dairy Board
Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation
Kenya Development Corporation
Kenya Education Management Institute
Kenya Electricity Generating Company Limited
Kenya Electricity Transmission Company
Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency
Kenya Film Classification Board
Kenya Film Commission
Kenya Fish Marketing Authority
Kenya Fisheries Service
Kenya Fishing Industries Corporation
Kenya Forest Service
Kenya Forestry Research Institute
Kenya Industrial Estates Limited
Kenya Industrial Property Institute
Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute
Kenya Institute for the Blind
Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development
Kenya Institute of Mass Communication
Kenya Institute of Public Policy Research and Analysis
Kenya Institute of Special Education
Kenya Investment Authority
Kenya Law Reform Commission
Kenya Leather Development Council
Kenya Literature Bureau
Kenya Marine & Fisheries Research Institute
Kenya Maritime Authority
Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council
Kenya Medical Research Institute
Kenya Medical Supplies Authority
Kenya Medical Training College
Kenya National Accreditation Service
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics
Kenya National Commission for UNESCO
Kenya National Examinations Council
Kenya National Highways Authority
Kenya National Innovation Agency
Kenya National Library Services
Kenya National Qualifications Authority
Kenya National Shipping Line
Kenya National Trading Corporation
Kenya Ordnance Factories Corporation
Kenya Pipeline Company Limited
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service
Kenya Ports Authority
Kenya Post Office Savings Bank
Kenya Power and Lighting Company Limited
Kenya Railways Corporation
Kenya Revenue Authority
Kenya Roads Board
Kenya Rural Roads Authority
Kenya School of Government
Kenya School of Law
Kenya Seed Company
Kenya Tourism Board
Kenya Trade Network Agency
Kenya Trade Remedies Agency
Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council
Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service
Kenya Urban Roads Authority
Kenya Utalii College
Kenya Veterinary Board
Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute
Kenya Water Institute
Kenya Water Towers Agency
Kenya Wildlife Service
Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board
Kenyatta International Convention Centre
Kenyatta National Hospital
Kenyatta University
Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital
Kerio Valley Development Authority
Kibabii University
Kirinyaga University
Kisii University
Koitalel Samoei University College
Konza Technopolis Development Authority
Laikipia University
Lake Basin Development Authority
Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency
Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency
LAPSSET Corridor Development Authority
Machakos University
Mama Ngina University College
Maasai Mara University
Maseno University
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology
Media Council of Kenya
Meru University of Science and Technology
Micro and Small Enterprises Authority
Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital
Moi University
Multimedia University
Murang’a University of Technology
Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration
National AIDS Control Council
National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse
National Biosafety Authority
National Cancer Institute
National Cereals and Produce Board
National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation
National Construction Authority
National Council for Children’s Services
National Council for Law Reporting
National Council for Nomadic Education in Kenya
National Council for Persons with Disabilities
National Council for Population and Development
National Crime Research Centre
National Drought Management Authority
National Employment Authority
National Environment Trust Fund
National Environmental Management Authority
National Government Affirmative Action Fund
National Government Constituency Development Fund
National Hospital Insurance Fund
National Housing Corporation
National Industrial Training Authority
National Irrigation Authority
National Museums of Kenya
National Oil Corporation of Kenya
National Research Fund
National Social Security Fund
National Transport and Safety Authority
National Water Harvesting & Storage Authority
National Youth Council
National Youth Service
New Kenya Co-operative Creameries Limited
New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union
Non-Governmental Organizations Coordination Board
North Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency
Northern Water Works Development Agency
Nuclear Power and Energy Agency
Numerical Machining Complex
Nursing Council of Kenya
Nyayo Tea Zones Development Corporation
Nzoia Sugar Company
Pest Control Products Board
Policyholders Compensation Fund
Postal Corporation of Kenya
Private Security Regulatory Authority
Privatization Commission of Kenya
Public Procurement Regulatory Authority
Pwani University
Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya
Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources Education, Training, and Research in Eastern Africa
Retirement Benefits Authority
Rongo University
Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation
Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority
School Equipment Production Unit
Scrap Metal Council
South Eastern Kenya University
South Nyanza Sugar Company
Special Economic Zones Authority
Sports Kenya
Sports, Arts, and Social Development Fund
Taita Taveta University
Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority
Tana Water Works Development Agency
Tanathi Water Works Development Agency
Tea Board of Kenya
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
Technical University of Kenya
Technical University of Mombasa
Tharaka University College
The Kenya Space Agency
The Universities Fund
Tom Mboya University College
Tourism Fund
Tourism Regulatory Authority
Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority
University of Eldoret
University of Embu
University of Kabianga
University of Nairobi
University of Nairobi Enterprise Services Limited
Uwezo Fund
Veterinary Medicines Directorate
Vision 2030 Delivery Board
Warehouse Receipts System Council
Water Resources Authority
Water Sector Trust Fund
Water Services Regulatory Board
Witness Protection Agency
Women Enterprise Fund
Youth Enterprise Development Fund

Classification by Function

Kenya’s state corporations are organized into eight functional categories, reflecting their diverse mandates:

Financial: Entities like the Kenya Revenue Authority and National Hospital Insurance Fund manage fiscal resources and investments.
Commercial & Manufacturing: Organizations such as Kenya Power and Lighting Company and New Kenya Co-operative Creameries focus on production and trade.
Regulatory: Bodies like the Communications Authority of Kenya and Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority oversee industry standards and compliance.
Public Universities: Institutions including the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University drive higher education and research.
Training and Research: The Kenya Medical Research Institute and Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization advance knowledge and skills.
Service: Corporations like Kenyatta National Hospital and Higher Education Loans Board provide essential public services.
Regional Development Authorities: Authorities such as the Lake Basin Development Authority promote balanced regional growth.
Tertiary Education and Training: Institutions like the Kenya Medical Training College support specialized education and vocational training.

Sectoral Distribution by Ministry

State corporations operate under various government ministries, aligning with national priorities. Key examples include:

Interior and Coordination of National Government: National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
The National Treasury: Kenya Revenue Authority, Capital Markets Authority.
Health: Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenyatta National Hospital.
Education, Science, and Technology: University of Nairobi, Kenya National Examinations Council.
Transport and Infrastructure Development: Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Railways Corporation.
Environment and Forestry: Kenya Wildlife Service, National Environmental Management Authority.
Agriculture and Irrigation: Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, National Irrigation Authority.

Conclusion

Kenya’s state corporations are integral to the nation’s economic and social fabric, delivering critical services and fostering development across diverse sectors. Their structured organization under various ministries and functional categories ensures alignment with national goals, making them vital drivers of progress.