In his Madaraka Day speech, Kenyan President William Ruto placed agriculture at the heart of his administration’s vision for the country’s development and prosperity. Delivering the address at the Masinde Muliro Stadium in Bungoma County, the President highlighted agriculture as a critical strategic pillar of his “Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.”
Recognizing the vital role played by farmers and agricultural workers, the President affirmed that “every form of service and labour” is important to nation-building. He celebrated the determination and contributions of the country’s small-scale farmers, who he said have been the backbone of Kenya’s agricultural sector despite systemic constraints.
To grow the sector, the President outlined a raft of interventions and policy measures aimed at boosting productivity, enhancing food security, and expanding the country’s agricultural exports. These include writing off debts owed by sugar factories and coffee cooperatives, distributing subsidized inputs, and supporting the production of key cash crops.
Notably, President Ruto also unveiled a major initiative to transform the agricultural extension system. During the Madaraka Day celebration, the government introduced 20,000 new agripreneurs who will serve in 36 counties in the first phase of the project’s rollout.
The new agripreneur model represents a paradigm shift from the current production-based extension services, focusing instead on a market-driven approach. Agripreneurs will work closely with farmers to optimize production based on market demand, providing services such as financial literacy, climate-smart advisory, mechanization, and access to inputs and credit.
“The agripreneurs will comprise three categories- General practitioners, animal health and genetics, and fodder agripreneurs,” the President explained. “One agripreneur will be allocated 350 farmers, and their services will be mainly digital-based.”
The agripreneurs, who will possess degrees, diplomas, or certificates in agriculture-related fields, will be key in collecting crucial farming data to inform tailored solutions for farmers. They will also act as a link between farmers and the market, facilitating value addition and aggregation.
Recognizing the threat posed by climate change, President Ruto pledged to scale up investment in climate action, afforestation, and irrigation infrastructure. He also highlighted efforts to develop Kenya’s leather industry and boost production of cash crops like cotton, edible oils, and macadamia nuts.
President Ruto affirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming the sector through an “agriculture-led, whole-of-society approach.” By empowering farmers, promoting value addition, and enhancing productivity across various value chains, the government aims to realize its vision of making Kenya a competitive, food-secure and economically prosperous nation.
“On this 61st Madaraka Day, we join the people of Bungoma, Kenyans of goodwill and friends of Kenya to acknowledge the contributions that food chain value actors have made towards the country’s food, nutritional and economic needs,” the President concluded
