Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has called on Parliament and state agencies to urgently align legislation, policies, and budgets to boost local production and cut Kenya’s heavy dependence on food imports.
Kagwe convened a high-level meeting that brought together heads of State Agencies (SAGAs) under the ministry and members of the Agriculture Committees from both the National Assembly and the Senate. The session focused on modernising outdated legal frameworks to transform agriculture into a more productive, export-oriented sector.
The government aims to reduce the multi-billion-shilling food import bill while expanding opportunities in key markets, including China, which recently granted zero-tariff access to several Kenyan agricultural products starting May 2026.
“There are legislative interventions that are crucial to increase exports and substitute imports. For us to succeed in markets like China, we must value-add here at home — not export jobs and import finished products,” Kagwe told participants.
Modernising Laws for Higher Productivity
Principal Secretary for Livestock Development Jonathan Mueke stressed the need for closer collaboration between the ministry and lawmakers. He noted that many current laws no longer support rapid growth in the sector.
“Our laws must modernise and create an enabling environment. We must now put our heads together with Parliament to fast-track priority bills and agree on those that must move with speed,” Mueke said.
Participants agreed to identify and prioritise key legislation currently before the two houses. Areas targeted include crop and livestock development, digital agricultural data systems, food safety standards, and improved farmer registries.
One bill highlighted in recent discussions is the Digital Agricultural Information Bill, 2026, which seeks to strengthen data collection and establish a reliable national farmer registry to guide planning and input distribution.
Focus on Value Addition and Import Substitution
Officials emphasised shifting from raw commodity exports to processed goods. This approach would help capture more value locally, create jobs, and make Kenyan produce more competitive abroad.
Kagwe warned that failure to prioritise local processing risks losing both employment opportunities and market share. Recent trade openings, particularly duty-free access to China for items such as avocados, macadamia nuts, vegetables, and herbs, have heightened the urgency for stronger value chains.
National Assembly Agriculture Committee Chairperson Dr John Mutunga called for a unified national strategy to tackle Kenya’s reliance on imported staples. He urged better coordination across government levels to close production gaps in maize, wheat, dairy, and other essential commodities.
Building a Coordinated Reform Agenda
The meeting forms part of broader efforts to reposition agriculture as a key driver of economic growth. State agencies under the ministry, including those handling crops, livestock, research, and marketing, will work closely with parliamentary committees to ensure bills receive swift attention.
Leaders also discussed aligning the 2026/27 budget priorities with these legislative reforms. The ministry faces funding pressures, but officials say targeted investments in seeds, irrigation, disease control, and market infrastructure will deliver quick wins in production.
Kenya continues to import significant volumes of food despite favourable climate and arable land in many regions. Reducing this dependence through better policies and faster law-making could free up foreign exchange and stabilise domestic prices for consumers.
Long-Term Push for Export Growth
Stakeholders resolved to accelerate reforms that support traceability, quality assurance, and private sector participation. Stronger laws on animal identification and digital systems are expected to improve livestock productivity and disease management.
As Kenya eyes expanded trade with partners like China, officials say a modern legal framework will help farmers and processors meet international standards and benefit from premium markets.
The consultative meeting signals a renewed push to make agriculture more resilient and commercially viable. With Parliament’s support, the government hopes to deliver tangible gains in food security and rural incomes in the coming seasons.
Kagwe and his team pledged to maintain momentum through regular follow-ups with lawmakers and agency heads until the priority bills become law.
