Nairobi — Kenya will now subject all foreign airline market access requests to a structured evaluation framework as part of reforms to safeguard national interests in aviation, trade, and tourism.

The Ministry of Roads and Transport said the new process, led by a Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) chaired by Principal Secretary Teresia Mbaika, will assess applications based on factors such as airport access, slot allocations, fund repatriation, staff employment, advertising rights, and taxation.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said the move ends years of ad hoc approvals that left the sector exposed.

"We are now on track to handle applications through a tool that reflects Kenya's strategic priorities," he said.

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The consultative process has brought in stakeholders from tourism, agriculture, trade, and private sector bodies alongside regulators such as the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).

Tourism CS Rebecca Miano said expanded and regulated access will boost arrivals toward Kenya's target of five million tourists by 2027, while Trade CS Lee Kinyanjui and Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe noted potential gains in cargo exports, particularly perishables, if fifth-freedom rights are leveraged.

The aviation sector supports more than 26,000 direct jobs and contributes US$1.5 billion to Kenya's GDP, with wider benefits in tourism and horticultural exports.

Officials say the reforms will help position Nairobi as a stronger aviation hub for East and Central Africa while aligning with global standards under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The TEC draws membership from multiple ministries, the Kenya Tourism Board, the Kenya Association of Air Operators, Kenya Airways, and state regulators.