Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has intensified the government’s push for sweeping reforms in the agricultural sector, calling for urgent legislative action aimed at reducing food imports while strengthening local production and export growth.

The CS made the remarks during a high-level meeting that brought together State Agencies (SAGAs) and Agriculture Committees from both the National Assembly and the Senate, in a coordinated effort to align policy, legislation, and budget priorities toward achieving food self-sufficiency.

The meeting focused on fast-tracking key agricultural bills and policy reforms designed to modernise the sector, enhance productivity, and unlock international markets for Kenyan produce.

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Kagwe said legislative interventions remain central to transforming agriculture into a more productive, competitive, and export-oriented sector, warning that failure to prioritise value addition could lead to continued loss of jobs and market opportunities.

“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,” he said.

The Cabinet Secretary emphasised that Kenya must shift from a consumption-driven economy to a production-based system that can sustain both domestic demand and external trade.

Principal Secretary for Livestock Development Jonathan Mueke echoed the call for urgent reforms, noting that outdated legal frameworks continue to hinder sector growth and innovation.

He urged closer collaboration between the Ministry and Parliament to ensure priority bills are fast-tracked and implemented without delay.

“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.

The meeting resolved to prioritise a series of legislative proposals covering crops, livestock, food safety, mechanisation, and agricultural data systems, all aimed at strengthening Kenya’s food production capacity.

Chairperson of the National Assembly Agriculture Committee John Mutunga called for a harmonised national strategy to reduce dependence on food imports, noting that production deficits remain a key driver of import reliance.

“We need a harmonised approach as a sector. If we are to substitute imports, we must think together; leveraging our competencies, capacities, and opportunities as Kenyans,” he said.

Mutunga also highlighted climate change and recurrent droughts as major challenges affecting food production, stressing the need for locally driven solutions and stronger policy coordination.

Acting Director General of the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), Calistus Kundu, proposed strengthening domestic markets by prioritising local procurement, particularly in institutions such as schools, to guarantee stable demand for farmers.

From the Senate, Hezena Lemaletian called for increased investment in agricultural education and financing, especially for young people, urging expansion of support through institutions such as the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).

She said empowering youth in agriculture is key to long-term food security and economic transformation.

Kagwe also urged increased budgetary allocation to the agricultural sector, noting its significant contribution to Kenya’s economy.

“With agriculture contributing over 25 per cent of GDP, we must ask ourselves — how do you allocate just 3 per cent to what is essentially the goose that lays the golden egg?” he posed.

He revealed that both Houses of Parliament had expressed support for increased funding to match the sector’s economic importance, alongside accelerated passage of key reforms.

The Ministry outlined several priority bills and policy frameworks, including the Digital Agricultural Information Bill, 2026, the National Food Reserve and Trading Corporation Bill, and the Mechanisation Bill, alongside amendments to existing laws such as the Crops Act, Tea Act, and Biosafety Act.

Other proposals include the Pest Control Products Bill and Plant Protection Bill, all aimed at modernising agricultural governance and improving efficiency across the value chain.

Kagwe said the reforms are intended to reposition Kenya as a food-secure nation while boosting exports and reducing reliance on imports.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment between the Ministry and Parliament to fast-track legislation and increase budgetary support, marking a coordinated push to transform agriculture into a key driver of economic growth and trade competitiveness.