The Public Finance Management (Tourism Promotion Fund) Regulations

Legal Notice 140 of 2018

This is the latest version of this Legal Notice.

Citation: Legal Notice 140 of 2018
Primary work: Public Finance Management Act
Date: 31 December 2022
Language: English
Type: Legal Notice
Publication: Download PDF (610.1 KB)

PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT ACT

THE PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT (TOURISM PROMOTION FUND) REGULATIONS

LEGAL NOTICE 140 OF 2018

Published in Kenya Gazette Vol. CXX—No. 78 on 6 July 2018
Commenced on 6 July 2018

[Revised by 24th Annual Supplement (Legal Notice 221 of 2023) on 31 December 2022]

1. Citation

These Regulations may be cited as the Public Finance Management (Tourism Promotion Fund) Regulations.

2. Interpretation

In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires—“Board" means the Oversight Board established under regulation 17;"Cabinet Secretary" has the meaning assigned to it under section 2 of the Act;"Fund" means the Tourism Promotion Fund established under regulation 3 of these Regulations;"Officer Administering the Fund" means the Principal Secretary for the time being responsible for matters relating to tourism;"operational and maintenance expenses" means moneys included in the approved annual budget of the Fund dedicated to meeting the routine administrative expenses of the Secretariat;"plugging projects" means projects which support the development, promotion and branding of tourism in Kenya;"tourism events" means natural phenomena or human scheduled activity which attract visitors to a particular area as organizers, participants, spectators or service providers to support the activity or a combination of several purpose of engagement, including wildebeest migration, observation of eclipse, exhibition, conferences, sporting events, cultural festivals and dances;"tourism implementing agency" means a government agency involved in the development, promotion and branding of tourism in Kenya;"tourism niche product" means an attraction, good or service of special appeal and of specific interest to a particular market segment;"tourism product" means an attraction, good or service which contributes to the total visitor or tourist experience in a destination, including wildlife, culture, rivers, beaches, historical sites, museums, hotels and artifacts.

3. Establishment of the Fund

There is established a fund to be known as the Tourism Promotion Fund which shall operate under the budgeting, accounting, reporting and auditing framework of the Act.

4. Capital of the Fund

The initial capital of the Fund shall be 200 million shillings appropriated by Parliament in the financial year 2018/19.

5. Object and purpose

(1)The object and purpose of the Fund shall be to provide funds to support development, promotion and branding of tourism sector.

(2)Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1) of this regulation, the Fund shall provide for—

(a)financing development, promotion and branding programmes and initiatives in relation to tourism products, including tourism niche products and tourism events;

(b)financing development, promotion and branding of Kenya in specific local, regional and international market segments;

(c)financing tourism data capture, analysis and dissemination of the same and any other related research which may include deployment of technology based applications;

(d)financing development of tourism facilities and establishments in areas where the private sector is unable or unwilling to develop, but with a high potential for tourism promotion and branding;

(e)co-financing of tourism promotion projects with the county governments on the basis of an agreed ratio of matching grants;

(f)funding programmes and initiatives for tourism safety and security geared towards development, promotion and branding of tourism sector;

(g)financing development of innovations and inventions which promote tourism development, promotion and branding;

(h)funding of plugging projects which contribute to development, promotion and branding of tourism sector;

(i)financing programmes and initiatives geared towards tourism intelligence and information gathering for purposes of developing, promoting and branding tourism in Kenya; and

(j)standard development and capacity building in the tourism sector.

6. Sources of funds

The Fund shall consist of—

(a)proceeds realised under section 3 of the Air Passengers Service Charge Act (Cap. 475);

(b)moneys appropriated by the National Assembly for the purpose of the Fund;

(c)income from investments of any surplus funds in the Fund;

(d)interest accruing to the Fund;

(e)grants, donations or other bequests made to the Fund;

(f)moneys paid into the Fund from any other source as may from time to time be approved by the Cabinet Secretary; and

(g)any other moneys as may be provided for in an Act of Parliament.

7. Payment out of the Fund

(1)There shall be paid out of the Fund monies in respect of any expenses incurred in pursuant of the objects and purposes for which the Fund is established.

(2)The expenditure incurred out of the Fund shall be on the basis of and limited to annual work programmes and cost estimates which shall be prepared by the Officer Administering the Fund, and approved by the Board at the beginning of the financial year to which they relate.

(3)Any revision of the approved annual work programmes, and of any cost estimate, shall be referred to the Board for approval.

8. Retention of funds

The earnings of, or accruals to the Fund shall be retained in the Fund, and shall be spent only for the objects and purposes for which the Fund is established.

9. Funding eligibility criteria

A tourism implementing agency shall be eligible to apply for funding from the Fund if—

(a)in the case of a state corporation or a government agency—

(i)has an annual work programme aligned to the strategic plan of the corporation or agency and the medium term plan approved by the governing body of the state corporation or agency;

(ii)has, in relation to an infrastructure development project, prepared project designs, plans and bills of quantities, approved by the governing body and the requisite regulatory approvals from relevant government institutions; and

(iii)meets any other criteria set out by the Board.

(b)in case of a Ministry or a State Department, that Ministry or State Department—

(i)has an annual work programme aligned to the strategic plan of the Ministry or state department and the medium term plan approved by the Cabinet Secretary responsible for that Ministry or State Department;

(ii)has, in relation to an infrastructure development project, prepared project designs, plans and bills of quantities, approved by the Accounting Officer of that Ministry or State Department and the requisite regulatory approvals from relevant government institutions; and

(iii)meets any other criteria set out by the Board.

10. Procedure for funding

(1)The Officer Administering the Fund shall by the 30th August of each year issue a budget circular to the eligible persons indicating—

(a)the ceilings for funding each objects of the Fund;

(b)priority programmes, projects and activities to be funded in that financial year; and

(c)any other information that the Board may consider necessary.

(2)A person who wishes to receive funding from the Fund and meets the criteria set out under regulation 9 shall at least, six months before the commencement of a financial year, apply to the Officer Administering the Fund in such a manner as may be specified by the Board.

(3)An application for funding under paragraph (2) shall be accompanied by—

(a)in case of a state corporation or government agency—

(i)the minutes of a properly constituted meeting of the governing body of the state corporation or government agency containing the resolution to apply for funding from the Fund;

(ii)an annual work programme aligned to the strategic plan of the state corporation or government agency approved by the governing body of that corporation or agency and the Medium Term Plan approved by the Cabinet Secretary responsible for that state corporation or government agency;

(iii)where the project is an infrastructure development project, the project designs, plans and bills of quantities, approved by the governing body and the requisite regulatory approvals from relevant government institutions, where applicable;

(iv)a statutory declaration of programmes funded through other sources, if any;

(v)the details and signatories of the bank account in the name of the state corporation or government agency where the funds shall be channeled; and

(vi)any other additional information as may be required by the Board.

(c)in the case of a Ministry or State Department—

(i)an annual work programme aligned to the strategic plan of that Ministry or State Department and the Medium Term Plan;

(ii)a written confirmation from the accounting officer responsible for that Ministry or State Department that the there is no other funding for the same programme, project or activity;

(iii)where it is an infrastructure development project, the project designs, plans and bills of quantities, approved by the Accounting Officer of that Ministry or State Department and the requisite regulatory approvals from relevant government institutions, where applicable;

(iv)an accounting officers' declaration of programmes funded through other sources, if any;

(v)the details and signatories of the bank account in the name of that Ministry or State Department where the funds shall be channeled; and

(vi)any other additional information as may be required by the Board.

(3)A maximum of ten per centum (10%) of the approved budget for each financial year shall be allocated annually by the Board, with the approval of the Cabinet Secretary for the time being responsible for matters relating to tourism based on the Medium Term Plan of that Ministry and the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury, to implement strategic interventions, programmes and initiatives through a tourism implementing agency.

11. Conditions for disbursements of funds

(1)The funds shall only be disbursed if—

(a)the disbursement is approved and recorded in minutes of the Board; and

(b)the disbursement is to meet the expenses related to the objects and purpose of the Fund.

(2)The Board may set out other conditions and requirements for release of funds, to ensure efficient and effective management of resources.

(3)Moneys may additionally be disbursed out of the Fund where such disbursements—

(a)relate to expenditures that did not form part of the approved budget for the financial year in accordance with provisions of the Act; and

(b)have been approved by the Officer Administering the Fund and submitted to the Board for further approval.

(4)For purposes of paragraph (3) of this regulation, a supplementary budget shall be prepared by the Officer Administering the Fund and approved in accordance with the provisions of regulation 10, provided disbursement under the supplementary budget complies with the requirements of these Regulations.

12. Obligations of the recipient of funds

(1)A recipient of the funds shall—

(a)submit quarterly and annual progress reports of the programmes, projects and initiatives funded by the Fund; and

(b)allow staff of the secretariat to monitor and evaluate programmes, projects and initiatives funded by the Fund.

(2)A recipient of the funds shall return any unutilized funds disbursed in accordance with these Regulations where—

(a)the purpose for which the funds were disbursed was not undertaken;

(b)the purpose for which the funds were disbursed was undertaken but the funds were not fully utilized; or

(c)savings are realized as a result of change in circumstances.

(3)Unutilized funds returned under paragraph (2) shall be recorded as receipts of the Fund.

(4)A recipient of the funds who fails to comply with paragraph (2) and (3) shall not be eligible for any subsequent disbursement until that person has fully complied with the provisions of these Regulations.

13. Request for payment from the Fund

A tourism implementing agency shall only request for payments from the Fund where—

(a)the project to be financed is procured in accordance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act (Cap. 412C);

(b)the project to be financed is included in the approved estimates of revenue and expenditure for the tourism implementing agency; and

(c)the requirements of regulation 27 are met.

14. Withholding of payments

The Officer Administering the Fund may withhold payments due and owing to a tourism implementing agency where—

(a)that tourism implementing agency fails to comply with the provisions of regulation 12;

(b)the Officer Administering the Fund is of the opinion that the provisions of these Regulations have not been complied with; or

(c)a tourism implementing agency provides information justifying the proposed withholding with approval of the agency governing body, and the Board approves the withholding.

15. Imposition of sanctions

The Board, with the prior approval of the Cabinet Secretary for the time being responsible for matters relating to tourism and the Cabinet Secretary to the National Treasury, may—

(a)impose such penalties, including the suspension of funding allocations, as it may direct the tourism implementing agencies which fail to comply with any of the provisions under these Regulations; or

(b)take such remedial, supplementary or alternative measures to ensure the performance of the functions of tourism implementing agencies which persistently fail to discharge their functions under these Regulations.

16. Applications for payments out of the fund

(1)Applications for payment out of the Fund shall be made by a tourism implementing agency in a format specified by the Board at least twenty-one (21) days before the due date.

(2)Any applications for payment made under paragraph (1) of this regulation shall be supported by documents required under these Regulations which shall include —

(a)the name and address of the payee (tourism implementing agency);

(b)the bank account details of the payee;

(c)specific project to be financed; and

(d)any other additional information as may be deemed necessary by the tourism implementing agency.

(3)Any application under these Regulations shall be signed by an accounting officer or the chief executive officer of a tourism implementing agency or an officer delegated by him or her, in writing.

17. Establishment and composition of the Board

(1)There is established a board to be known as Oversight Board for the Fund which shall consist of—

(a)the Cabinet Secretary responsible for matters relating to tourism, who shall be the chairperson of the Board, or in his or her absence, the Principal Secretary responsible for matters relating to tourism;

(b)the Principal Secretary responsible for matters relating to tourism;

(c)the Principal Secretary responsible for matters relating to finance;

(d)the Principal Secretary responsible for matters relating to Transport;

(e)the Principal Secretary responsible for matters relating to Culture;

(f)the Principal Secretary responsible for matters relating to wildlife;

(g)the Principal Secretary responsible for matters relating to Internal Security;

(h)two persons of opposite gender appointed by the Cabinet Secretary responsible for matters relating to tourism in accordance with Article 27 of the Constitution.

(2)A person shall not be appointed under paragraph (1) (h) of this regulation, unless that—

(a)holds a university degree recognized in Kenya;

(b)has not less than fifteen years' experience in the relevant field; and

(c)meets the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution.

(3)A person appointed under paragraph (1)(h) of this regulation shall serve for a period of three (3) years, and the period may be renewed for a further final term of three (3) years.

18. Functions of the Board

The functions of the Board shall be to—

(a)advise the Cabinet Secretary on the funding requirements of the Fund;

(b)review and adopt the estimates of annual revenue and expenditure of the Fund and recommend them to the Cabinet Secretary for the time being responsible for matters relating to tourism for concurrence and onward transmission to the Cabinet Secretary for approval;

(c)determine the allocation of financial resources from the Fund required by the tourism implementing agencies for the development, promotion and branding of tourism sector in Kenya;

(d)ensure that the annual estimates of revenue and expenditure for the Fund include retention funds for the preceding financial year which shall be revoted;

(e)ensure that only projects included in the tourism implementing agency annual programme are promoted for funding under these Regulations;

(f)advise the Cabinet Secretary on amounts and timing for the fund transfers into the Fund;

(g)approve and review the investment of surplus funds from the Fund;

(h)advise the Cabinet Secretary on any additional sources of funds for the Fund;

(i)approve the financial statements prepared by the Officer Administering the Fund before submission to the Auditor-General; and

(j)approve the non-financial reports of the Fund before submitting them to the Cabinet Secretary responsible for tourism for onward transmission to the National Treasury.

19. Appointment of chief executive officer

(1)The Board shall, through a competitive recruitment process, identify and shortlist three successful persons in order of merit and forward the names to the Cabinet Secretary for the time being responsible for matters relating to tourism to appoint one of them to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Fund.

(2)A person shall not be qualified for appointment as the chief executive officer under paragraph (1) unless that person—

(a)holds at least a degree from a university recognized in Kenya in the field of tourism, wildlife, economics, finance, natural resources or any other relevant field;

(b)has at least ten years practical experience in senior management capacity; and

(c)satisfies the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution.

(3)The chief executive officer of the Fund shall hold office for a term of three years, but shall be eligible for re-appointment for one further term of three years.

(4)The chief executive officer shall be the Secretary to the Board and shall be responsible for the day to day running of the Fund including the staff of the secretariat of the Fund.

20. Officer Administering the Fund

(1)The Principal Secretary responsible for matters relating to tourism shall be the Officer Administering the Fund.

(2)The functions of the Officer Administering the Fund shall be to—

(a)supervise and control the administration of the Fund based on a five year tourism investment programme approved by the Cabinet Secretary for tourism and the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury;

(b)recommend the allocation of financial resources from the Fund required by the tourism implementing agencies for the development, promotion and branding of tourism sector in Kenya;

(c)prepare estimates of annual revenue and expenditure of the Fund relating to its purpose and object and operational and maintenance expenses and submit it to the Board for approval;

(d)establish proper systems of internal control and management in accordance with the provisions of the Act and these Regulations;

(e)advise and consult the Board on matters relating to the administration of the Fund;

(f)co-ordinate monitoring and evaluation of tourism development, promotion and branding projects financed from the Fund;

(g)advise and consult with the Cabinet Secretary on matters relating to the administration of the Fund as may, from time to time, be necessary;

(h)keep proper books of accounts and other books and records relating to the Fund and the activities financed under the Fund and submit them to the Board;

(i)keep custody of the Funds' assets, equipment and properties under the Fund;

(j)prepare financial and non-financial performance report of the Fund and submit it to the Board for approval, and upon approval transmit a copy to the National Treasury and Ministry for matters relating to tourism;

(k)prepare the annual financial statements and submit them to the Board for approval before submission to the Auditor-General with a copy to the National Treasury and Ministry for matters relating to tourism;

(l)furnish any additional information which is proper and sufficient for the proper discharge of the mandate of the Auditor-General; and

(m)undertake any other duty as the Board may assign through resolutions.

(3)When discharging the functions under paragraph (2) of this regulation, the Officer Administering the Fund shall—

(a)comply with the ordinary budget cycle in the preparation of estimates for the Fund; and

(b)submit estimates of revenue and expenditure to the Cabinet Secretary by the 31st January of the preceding financial year for approval.

21. Power of Officer Administering the Fund

The Officer Administering the Fund shall have power to—

(a)access any project related data he or she may need from tourism implementing agency in furtherance of his or her functions;

(b)call for any additional information with respect to requests for payments out of the Fund; and

(c)cause for a monitoring and evaluation exercise to be done to a tourism implementing agency projects funded from the Fund, and with the approval of the Board.

22. Secretariat support for Officer Administering the Fund

(1)The Board shall designate a secretariat to support the operations of the Fund which shall be headed by the Chief Executive Officer.

(2)The Secretariat shall consist of such staff as the Board with the approval of the Cabinet Secretary responsible for matters relating to tourism may, in consultation with the Public Service Commission, consider necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Fund under these Regulations.

23. Accounts of the Fund

(1)The Officer Administering the Fund shall cause an account in the name of the Fund to be maintained for the Fund in a bank within the Republic of Kenya in line with section 28 of the Act and any Regulations made thereunder.

(2)All monies payable into the Fund shall be received into the bank account of the Fund.

(3)The Fund's accounts shall be operated by the Officer Administering the Fund and two other persons nominated by the Cabinet Secretary from the Fund's secretariat.

(4)The Officer Administering the Fund may open and maintain other accounts for the following purposes—

(a)payments for development, promotion and branding of tourism sector:

(b)payments of operational and maintenance expenses; and

(c)receiving receipts of the Fund and unutilized funds by tourism implementing agencies.

24. Overdrawn accounts

The Officer Administering the Fund shall ensure the accounts of the Fund are not overdrawn.

25. Advances to the Board

(1)The Board shall ensure that in any financial year expenditure and commitments from the Fund shall not exceed the annual income of the Fund together with any surplus income brought forward from a previous year.

(2)If, in exceptional circumstances, the income from the Fund or other funds together with any surplus income brought forward from a previous year is insufficient to meet the actual or estimated liabilities of the Board and the Fund, the Cabinet Secretary to the National Treasury may, with the approval of Parliament, make advances to the Board and such advances shall be made on such terms and conditions, whether as to repayment or otherwise, as the Cabinet Secretary to the National Treasury may determine:Provided that any such advance shall be repaid from the income of the Fund.

26. Investments of the funds

The Board may with the consent of the Cabinet Secretary to the National Treasury and the Cabinet Secretary responsible for matters relating to tourism, invest any of its surplus funds in Government securities.

27. Financial and procurement Regulations

The Fund shall be governed by all relevant financial and procurement laws and regulations as applicable.

28. Review of performance of the Fund

(1)The Cabinet Secretary shall at the elapse of ten years from the date of commencement of these Regulations cause a review to be conducted on the performance of the Fund in accordance with the requirements of the Act and Regulations thereunder.

(2)The review shall determine whether the Fund has met the objectives for which it was established.

(3)The report on the review shall be submitted to the Cabinet and Parliament for approval.

29. Annual estimates

(1)At least six months before the commencement of each financial year, the Board shall cause to be prepared estimates of the revenue and expenditure of the Board for that year.

(2)The annual estimates shall make provision for all estimated revenues into and expenditures from the Fund for the financial year and in particular, the estimates shall provide for—

(a)revenues projected to be received by the Fund from the sources of funds provided for under these Regulations;

(b)moneys allocated to tourism implementing agencies under these Regulations;

(c)monies for the administration expenses of the Fund;

(d)the payment of the salaries, allowances and other charges in respect of the staff of the Board, where applicable;

(e)the payment of pensions, gratuities and other charges in respect of the staff Fund, where applicable; and

(f)the proper maintenance of the assets, equipment and properties under the Fund.

(3)The annual estimates shall be approved by the Board before the commencement of the financial year to which they relate and shall be submitted to the Cabinet Secretary for approval and thereafter, the Board shall not increase or decrease the annual estimates unless a supplementary budget has been approved in the same manner.

30. Quarterly reports

(1)The Officer Administering the Fund shall prepare quarterly financial and non-financial reports in accordance with the format prescribed by the Public Sector Accounting Standards Board and the Act and submit it to the Board for approval.

(2)Upon approval, under paragraph (1), the Officer Administering the Fund shall submit the report to the National Treasury and Ministry responsible for matters relating to tourism.

31. Accounts and audit

(1)The Board shall cause to be kept all proper books and records of account of the income, expenditure, assets, equipment and properties of the Fund.

(2)Within a period of three months from the end of each financial year, the Board shall submit to the Auditor-General with a copy to the National Treasury, the accounts of the Fund together with—

(a)a statement of the income and expenditure of the Fund during the financial year; and

(b)a statement of the assets and liabilities of the Fund on the last day of that financial year.

(3)The financial statements prepared under paragraph (2) shall be in accordance with the prescribed format by the Public Sector Accounting Standards Board and the Act.

(4)The accounts of the Fund shall be audited and reported upon in accordance with the Public Audit Act (Cap. 412B).

(5)The Board shall inform and keep the public informed of its activities and operations through regular publications and such activities and operations shall be accessible to the public unless there are reasons of commercial confidentiality or security justifying exclusions.

32. Administration expenses

(1)The administrative expenses of the Fund shall not exceed three per centum of the approved budget of each financial year.

(2)Despite the provisions of paragraph (1) the Board may, with the concurrence of the Cabinet Secretary for the time being responsible for matters relating to tourism, recommend increase of the administrative expenses from three per centum to five per centum where there are justifiable reasons to the Cabinet Secretary for approval for that particular financial year.

33. Offences and Penalties

A person who misappropriates any funds or assets from the Fund, or assists or causes any person to misappropriate or apply the funds otherwise than in the manner provided in these Regulations, commits an offence and shall, upon conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to a fine not exceeding ten million shillings or to both.

34. Winding-up of the Fund

(1)The Cabinet Secretary may wind-up the Fund with the approval of the National Assembly where the Cabinet Secretary considers that the Fund has successfully completed the specific objectives for which it was created.

(2)On winding up of the Fund—

(a)the officer Administering the Fund shall call on the tourism implementing agencies to submit any valid outstanding obligations and commitments for payment;

(b)the Officer Administering the Fund shall pay any amount remaining in the Fund into the National Exchequer Account for the credit of the national government;

(c)the Cabinet Secretary shall pay any deficit in the Fund from the funds of the national government in the National Exchequer Account with the approval of the National Assembly; and

(d)assets, equipment and properties other than cash of the Fund shall be transferred to the Ministry for the time being responsible for matters relating to tourism.

(3)Within three months upon the decision to wind up the Fund, the Officer Administering the Fund shall prepare final financial and non-financial statements of the Fund and submit them to the Board for approval.

(4)Upon approval under paragraph (3), the administrator shall submit the final financial and non-financial statements to the Cabinet Secretary.

(5)The Cabinet Secretary shall submit a final statement of accounts to Parliament and to the Auditor-General for audit within three months from the date of the decision to wind up the Fund.

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History of this document

31 December 2022 this version

Revised by 24th Annual Supplement

06 July 2018

Published in Kenya Gazette 78

Commenced