A Solution or an obstacle?
As Kenya continues to assert its position as a leading exporter of horticultural products in Africa, recent debates surrounding the proposed Horticulture Crops Authority Bill have ignited a wave of concern across the sector. While the Bill aims to streamline the horticulture industry, improve food safety, and enhance productivity, critics argue that it introduces unnecessary bureaucracy, stifles growth, and serves political interests rather than the needs of farmers.
The promise of growth or another layer of bureaucracy?
At first glance, the Horticulture Crops Authority Bill appears to present a promising future for Kenya’s agriculture. Its objectives—outlined in Section 3—seek to promote industry growth, improve productivity, attract investments, and safeguard food safety. These are crucial goals, especially in a country where agriculture is a key economic driver and a source of livelihood for millions. However, upon closer scrutiny, many stakeholders in the sector have raised alarm over the execution of these noble goals.
Sheena Raikundalia, an entrepreneur and former lawyer with extensive experience in government policy, was one of the first to raise her voice against the Bill. In a recent analysis, she lauded the intentions of the Bill but criticized its mechanisms for implementation. “Why create another body when we already have the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA)?” she asked, pointing to the already existing frameworks that could be enhanced rather than duplicated. Raikundalia’s call to “#Kill the Bill” has resonated across the sector, with many sharing her belief that adding yet another regulatory authority would increase costs and burden an already strained industry.
A web of agencies and redundancies
One of the key criticisms against the Bill is the potential for redundancy. In his own commentary, Bonface Nyalwal, a food scientist and agritech expert, shared his frustrations with the current system of horticultural export certification. According to Nyalwal, the sheer number of institutions involved—ranging from the Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD) to the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and county governments—creates a tangled web of bureaucracy that farmers and exporters must navigate. “Why do we need so many bodies performing the same functions?” he asked, noting that these inefficiencies are not just frustrating but also costly for agripreneurs.
Nyalwal’s team recently went through the process of obtaining horticultural export certification, and the experience left him wondering why the process could not be centralized and simplified. “The more bodies we create, the more we increase the cost of doing business. This doesn’t benefit the farmer or the agribusiness community. It only creates opportunities for political appointees and positions with high salaries,” he added.
The fear, shared by many, is that this Bill might be yet another attempt by lawmakers to create new positions and agencies that serve political interests, with little value being added to the agricultural sector itself.
Political interests vs. public good
A common theme among critics of the Bill is the suggestion that it serves political interests rather than the public good. Peter Githinji, a renewable energy and low carbon solutions expert, questioned whether Kenyan MPs have access to researchers and experts when drafting such laws. “It’s comical, to say the least, how laws are introduced without in-depth focus on impact or attention to the public good,” he remarked. His sentiment echoes concerns that lawmakers may be rushing to create new bodies and regulations without fully considering their implications for the very people they are meant to serve—Kenya’s farmers.
Abraham Ng’ondo Othieno, Ph.D, an economist and rural pig farmer, reflected on a deeper problem within Kenya’s political landscape. “Once elected, politicians don’t strengthen the existing institutions; they prefer to suffocate them and start new ones due to ‘interests,'” he commented, suggesting that the creation of new bodies often opens avenues for pilferage and plunder of public funds. His observation is a sobering reminder of past scandals that have emerged in Kenya’s agricultural sector, where mismanagement of funds and corruption have stifled potential growth.
The Call for Streamlined Solutions:
Despite the pushback against the Bill, most critics agree on one thing: the sector needs better regulations, but not more bureaucratic hurdles. What is needed is the streamlining of existing processes and the proper enforcement of current standards. For instance, Kenya already has a National Horticulture Code of Practice, which many believe could be strengthened and more rigorously enforced instead of introducing a new authority.
There is also a growing consensus that rather than creating punitive measures, the government should focus on incentives for farmers and agripreneurs. Sheena Raikundalia suggested that connecting farmers with buyers who demand high-quality produce would do more to drive up standards than simply imposing fines and levies. “We should be creating an enabling environment, not stifling it,” she noted.
George Abwajo, a strategic and private sector partnerships expert, echoed this sentiment. He argued that the sector doesn’t need new laws but rather amendments to existing ones. “Give the laws teeth, amend a few things, and discuss the real issues—like inputs, cost of production, and marketing—and we are good to go,” he said. His focus on cutting costs and improving market access aligns with the needs of smallholder farmers, who bear the brunt of overregulation and high costs.
What’s Next for Kenya’s Horticultural Sector?
As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: Kenya’s agricultural sector stands at a crossroads. The Horticulture Crops Authority Bill has sparked necessary discussions about the future of the industry and the best ways to support its growth. While the Bill aims to address key challenges in the sector, many stakeholders feel it will do more harm than good by introducing more bureaucracy, costs, and inefficiencies.
For now, the call to #Kill theBill grows louder, with key industry players urging lawmakers to rethink their approach. The focus should be on leveraging existing institutions, simplifying processes, and providing incentives that empower farmers and agripreneurs. Only then can Kenya’s horticultural sector truly flourish, unlocking its full potential to feed its people and fuel its economy.
Conclusion
The Horticulture Crops Authority Bill, while well-intentioned, risks introducing more challenges than solutions. As the conversation around it continues, stakeholders across the industry are pushing for reforms that strengthen existing institutions and reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies. By prioritizing pragmatic solutions over political interests, Kenya can create a thriving agricultural sector that benefits farmers, agripreneurs, and the country as a whole.
By: Andrew Mathenge
