Nairobi, Kenya – Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Mutahi Kagwe, has delivered a scathing indictment against what he terms “vested interests” actively working to undermine government efforts to reform the nation’s food systems. His candid remarks, made during the opening of the 2025 CABI Africa Regional Consultation in Nairobi this week, sent ripples through the international delegation gathered to shape a pan-African agenda for safer, sustainable agriculture.
Kagwe painted a worrying picture of systemic resistance to crucial reforms, citing “interference in legislative and regulatory processes” and the insidious “use of media to influence public perception” as tactics deployed by commercial entities seeking to maintain the status quo. His unvarnished assessment underscored the high stakes in what he described as “not just a policy issue, it is a fight for the health of our people, the integrity of our food systems, and the future of our environment.”
The three-day summit, which concludes on June 13, has become a pivotal platform for dialogue on the continent’s agricultural future, particularly amidst escalating climate-related pest threats and the pervasive misuse of pesticides.
Kagwe reaffirmed the Kenyan government’s unwavering commitment to stamping out harmful agrochemicals, bolstering food safety legislation, and empowering farmers with critical knowledge and innovative tools. However, he cautioned that entrenched commercial interests are fiercely resisting these necessary changes.
The CS highlighted Kenya’s Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy as a guiding light for fostering climate-smart, inclusive farming practices. He stressed the importance of stricter sanitary and phytosanitary compliance – vital measures for opening up global markets for Kenyan produce.
He also took a moment to commend the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI) for its three decades of impactful work in agricultural development across Africa. Kagwe specifically lauded CABI’s efforts in combating devastating pests like the fall armyworm and desert locusts, as well as their pioneering role in promoting nature-based solutions, citing the success of the National Prosopis Strategy. “From battling fall armyworm and locusts to pioneering nature-based solutions, CABI has helped anchor agricultural resilience across the continent,” he noted.
In a powerful call to action, Kagwe urged African nations to unify their pesticide regulations, establish joint oversight mechanisms, and significantly enhance farmer education across the region. His plea resonated with a sense of urgency: “Let us not leave this room with just another communiqué. Let this be a turning point, a moment where political courage meets scientific truth.”
Underscoring Kenya’s ambition to lead regional agricultural transformation, Kagwe pointed to initiatives such as the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He also emphasized the importance of South-South cooperation in fostering shared progress.
As the consultation draws to a close, delegates are expected to chart a concrete roadmap for phasing out harmful pesticides and cultivating a resilient, science-based agricultural future for the entire African continent. The battle, it appears, has only just begun, but with renewed political will and scientific backing, Kenya – and Africa – is poised to reclaim its food sovereignty.
