Enact tough laws to kick cartels out of agriculture sector, governors appeal

Standard Group CEO Sam Sholei(2nd R) chat with Governos led by Chairman Peter Munya(R), Paul Chepkuony(L) and Ukur Yatani during the 3rd Annual Devolution Conference at Meru National Polytechnic on Thursday 21/04/16. [PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO/Standard]

Governors want the Government to rein in cartels operating in the agriculture sector by coming up with harsh laws.

The county bosses argued that Kenyans were shying away from farming because they are not guaranteed maximum benefits, despite agriculture being the largest employer in the country.

They said even though counties have tried to dismantle networks that have continually stifled farmers by denying them the opportunity to enjoy full returns, appropriate legislation is needed to protect their interests.

The conference heard that Government-subsidised fertiliser was being sold by unscrupulous business people at exorbitant prices.

The issue of the Government’s commitment to fully devolve pending agricultural functions, such as training institutes and staff rationalisation, also featured at the ongoing third devolution conference in Meru County.

The participants also took the governors to task over their role in empowering youth and women to engage in agriculture and ensure their counties are food secure.

Fall in place

Margaret Kamar, who moderated the session on how to streamline the sector and ensure farmers get value for their produce, took questions for the panelists, who included governors, academicians and development partners on their roles in boosting the sector.

Governors Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), Patrick Khaemba (Trans Nzoia), Okoth Obado (Migori) and John Nyagarama (Nyamira) defended their records, and called on the Government to act on cartels to protect the sector.

Though the function is fully devolved, governors cried foul over allocations and faulted the continued disbursement of funds through the line ministry.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett, however, affirmed the Government’s commitment to moving the sector forward by addressing its challenges.

“A lot has happened with devolution. I have set up a strong intergovernmental unit at Kilimo House to iron out these issues. Devolution is new and things cannot automatically fall in place. We are still facing some teething problems,” said the CS.

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto differed with the CS on the location of the unit, saying it should not be at Kilimo House.

“We are not going back to Kilimo House. This unit should be situated under the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee chaired by Prof Karega Mutahi,” said Mr Ruto.

But the CS downplayed this concern, saying the matter should not be about where it is located, but its enhancing interactions between the two levels of government.

“The office should not matter. What is important is our engagement. We need to have a cordial relationship,” said Mr Bett.

Wanjiku Kabira shared with the participants’ disturbing statistics on the country’s state of food insecurity, and urged counties to invest more in the sector.

According to a 2013-14 study done by Kenya Bureau of Statistics and the University of Nairobi, 18 per cent of Kenya’s population — or nearly two in 10 people — goes to bed hungry.