Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has been ranked Kenya’s best-performing Cabinet Secretary in a new national survey, scoring an impressive 86.5 percent approval rating.
The KenyaTrack poll, conducted between March 15 and April 10 across all 290 constituencies, surveyed over 12,000 respondents. It placed Kagwe ahead of other strong performers, including Tourism and Wildlife CS Rebecca Miano and Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku.
Since assuming leadership of the ministry, Kagwe has pushed a results-driven agenda aligned with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). His focus on increasing sector funding and stabilising markets has resonated with farmers nationwide.
Key interventions include prioritising locally produced wheat, establishing strategic animal feed reserves, and promoting climate-smart agriculture practices. These measures have helped cushion farmers against climate shocks and stabilised food prices.
Reforms Boost Farmer Earnings
In the coffee and tea sectors, reforms have targeted better pricing mechanisms, value addition, and more efficient marketing systems. Farmers report improved earnings and greater competitiveness in both domestic and export markets.
Kagwe attributed the strong survey performance to teamwork. “I am deeply humbled and honoured to be recognised as the best-performing Cabinet Secretary in 2026. We remain firmly committed to transforming the sector, strengthening food security, and delivering meaningful impact to farmers and all Kenyans,” he said.
Agriculture as Economic Pillar
The ranking underscores a broader shift in positioning agriculture as a central driver of Kenya’s economic transformation. The sector contributes significantly to GDP and employs a large portion of the workforce, making its performance critical for household incomes and national stability.
Policies under Kagwe’s watch have emphasised market protection, increased production, and resilience-building initiatives. These efforts aim to reduce import dependence while creating jobs along the agricultural value chain.
The survey results come as the ministry continues to implement reforms in livestock, crop production, and agribusiness development. Stakeholders credit the visible impact on the ground for the high public approval.
With agriculture remaining the backbone of rural economies, the positive rating reflects growing public confidence in government efforts to deliver tangible benefits to farmers. Kagwe and his team have pledged to sustain momentum in the coming months to further strengthen food security and rural livelihoods.
