Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has challenged counties and private sector players to “break out of routine, abandon comfort zones, and rethink agriculture from the ground up,” adapting to the technological innovations in the sector.
CS Kagwe who officially launched the two-day Intergovernmental Agriculture Forum (IGAF) 2025, warned that Kenya cannot solve its agricultural challenges if leaders remain stuck in old patterns of discussion and fragmented action.
“We are here not just to discuss agriculture. We are fulfilling a constitutional mandate. We must protect counties. We must work in tandem. We cannot do things normally and expect different results.” He said
The CS stressed that President William Ruto has already issued clear directives for agricultural transformation and that counties must now translate policy into practical outcomes—food security, job creation, modernized value chains and market-ready production.
CS Kagwe delivered his strongest message to the private sector, noting that government alone cannot carry Kenya’s agricultural burden.
“Unless and until the private sector is fully enthused and joins agriculture, we cannot achieve results. Government cannot endlessly hire and hire or provide more and more money. The vacuum must be filled by the private sector. That is where success will come from.”
He urged counties to create investment-friendly environments and work closely with agribusiness players to unlock capital, technology, markets, and high-value jobs.
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Pushing delegates beyond routine conference talking points, Kagwe questioned Kenya’s long-standing production deficits.
“Let us ask ourselves: How can India—with over a billion people—and the US with more than 300 million export grain to Kenya? How can Egypt, a desert country, grow enough food? Let us not point fingers. Let us think. Let us innovate.”
He said IGAF 2025 must generate big ideas, fresh thinking, and solutions grounded in technology, data, and science—not politics or familiar speeches.
The CS emphasized that counties must take individual responsibility in managing climate shocks, rangelands, and livestock resilience, with the national government supporting their strategies.
He said the recurrent cycle of drought-driven livestock losses must end through planned adaptation, early response systems, and climate-proofed investments.
Kagwe warned that Kenya’s shrinking soil fertility threatens national food security.
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“Land will not increase. Yet we must feed ourselves and still export. We must address soil health urgently. Fertiliser subsidy must be crop-specific and soil-specific. Seeds must be right for the right regions.”
He noted that technology-driven soil testing, improved fertilizer matching, and certified seed adoption must be fast-tracked across all counties.
The CS issued a stark warning about the future of Kenya’s agricultural workforce.
“Technology is what will change agriculture. But our officers and graduates must be trained for that future. In five years, 50% of Ministry of Agriculture staff will retire. KALRO does not have enough scientists. We must rebuild our human capital now.”
He said curriculum reforms, modern extension systems, and aggressive recruitment of young scientists and technicians must form the backbone of Kenya’s agricultural transformation.
The high-level forum brought together PS Jonathan Mueke; Council of Governors Chair Ahmed Abdullahi; CoG Vice Chair Muthomi Njuki; Chair of the CoG Agriculture Committee, Governor Ken Lusaka; Governors Andrew Mwadime and Nathif Jamaa; CEOs and Board Chairs of all agricultural agencies; CECs from all 47 counties; and private sector leaders.
By Juma Ndigo
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