Cabinet Secretary Agriculture & Livestock Dev't

The engagement underscored a shared commitment to building resilient and sustainable agricultural systems that benefit farmers and strengthen food systems across the region.

including Madrid and Rome engagements. CS Kagwe reaffirmed Kenya’s appreciation for FAO’s continued support in advancing food security, agricultural productivity, and sustainable livelihoods.

CS Sen. Mutahi Kagwe, held discussions with senior officials from @FAO, led by Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, Abebe Haile-Gabriel, alongside Farayi Zimudzi and Hamisi Williams.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗜𝗧 𝗗𝗘𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 🔗president.go.ke/wp-content/upl…

CS Sen. Mutahi Kagwe moments at the Agriculture Roundtable at the Africa Forward Summit

Tea reforms, accountability in cooperatives and value addition emerged as some of the government’s most aggressively defended agriculture strategies for the 2026/27 financial year. The CS was accompanied by PSs Dr.Kipronoh Ronoh Paul and Jonathan Mueke

Beyond tea reforms, the session also focused on the Ministry’s KSh79.06 billion budget, with priorities including fertilizer subsidies, irrigation, climate-smart farming, livestock transformation and commercialization under the BETA agenda.

“Going back would be a huge mistake. All countries that trade seriously in tea charge levies to develop their markets,” He further pushed for direct tea sales and geographical indicators to stop Kenyan tea from being blended and rebranded abroad without recognition

"GOING BACK WOULD BE A HUGE MISTAKE." CS KAGWE DEFENDS TEA LEVY AS 2026 AGRICULTURE BUDGET TALKS INTENSIFY The Tea Levy Regulations 2026 took center stage as CS Sen. Mutahi Kagwe appeared before the Parliament of Kenya Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock

The CS argued that the levy is meant to create sustainable funding for marketing, modernization and promoting Kenyan tea as a premium product internationally, amid concerns raised by some international buyers and tea stakeholders.

to defend the Ministry’s 2026/27 budget estimates. CS Kagwe mounted a strong defense of the 0.8% tea export levy, insisting Kenya “cannot retreat” from reforms aimed at protecting, branding and adding value to Kenyan tea in the global market.

Agriculture Round Table

and policymakers to advance strategic partnerships aimed at transforming Africa’s agricultural value chains. The high-level session featured CS Sen.Mutahi Kagwe, as discussions focused on investment, food security, value addition, innovation, and sustainable agricultural growth.

AGRICULTURE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION | AFRICA FORWARD SUMMIT 2026 The Agriculture Roundtable at the Africa Forward Summit 2026 has brought together Heads of State and Government from across Africa, bilateral and multilateral institutions, private-sector leaders,