Kagwe’s ICT Experience Critical in Attracting Gen Zs to Agriculture 

Hon. Mutahi Kagwe, the nominee for Agriculture and livestock development, faces a daunting. challenge in addressing the agricultural sector trilemma-declining incomes, food insecurity and the demands of a mobile-first, globally aware, expressive Gen Z demographic that has shied away from the farming. How he juggles the different policy options, delivers on his wide mandate, whilst productively engaging an increasingly restive youth, and the Mt. Kenya region, will define his term, and probably, the fate of his boss, President William Ruto. The stakes could not be any higher, with two and a half years to go to what promises to be a very hotly contest 2027 general election.

But for a man famed for his mercurial skills in undertaking bold policy reform measures, communicating these with ease, and achieving amazing, socioeconomic returns for common good, Kagwe’s nomination to the agriculture and livestock domains may just be a masterstroke, if his previous experience and demonstrable results-oriented approach is anything to go by. As ICT minister in 2005-2007, he said, ‘lel a phone work, and 15 years later, the results are unparalleled. Safaricom is East and Central Africa’s largest and most profitable listed firm; MPESA is global and has singularly driven financial inclusion for millions of previously unbanked Kenyans; as of June 2024, intemet penetration stands at 41%, mobile money subscriptions is at 39.8 million translating to a penetration rate of 77.3%, mobile (SIM) connectivity is at 68.9 million subscriptions, translating into a penetration rate of 133.7%; mobile services generated Ksh. 384.3 billion in revenue in 2023; and mobile phone devices were 66.1 million equivalent to a penetration rate of 128.3%.

In Health, Kagwe said, let us save lives, and embrace technology”. This changed not only the contours of public health discourse, policy and practice in Kenya, but it also reassured a skeptical citizenry of the need and safety of containment measures and Covid19 vaccines used, averting catastrophic results witnessed in other jurisdictions. The statistics tell the stark story – 18.5million doses were voluntarily administered, infections were limited to only 330,000, an impressive statistic by any stretch of imagination, for a developing country that is so connected to the globe. His persuasive approach, backed by solid scientific evidence, medical facts, and benchmarked practice, led to a discernible lifestyle change that saved lives and cushioned the economy from a total collapse. Now it is hip to work remotely, or in hybrid mode, drones have become part of the arsenal against malaria, and other infectious diseases, and the ‘gig economy’ is front and center in the daily lives of Gen Zs.

His ability to avidly read the room, offer a consultative platform for candid stakeholder engagement, long-term strategic thinking rather than quick fixes, innovative problem-solving abilities, and proven crisis management pedigree will come in handy. His vision of raising productivity, putting more money in farmers’ pockets, raising the sector’s attractiveness to the youth, and food independence rather than security may change the national agri-food systems, policies, institutions, processes and outcomes for good. This will not be a walk in the park though. A multiplicity of factors have conspired to make this a dream-deferred. Entrenched econo-socio- political interests, both systemic and structural; exogenous factors like climate shocks, dislocated supply chains, spikes in global commodity and input prices, asymmetrical market access and information, an aging lowly educated workforce, land fragmentation, low mechanization and innovation levels, dearth of extension services, disconnect between research and application, under-investment by government and private-sector, poor quality seeds, inadequate soil testing and fertilizer application, amongst others have been blamed for this.

It is inconceivable that for a sector that employs up to 70% of the 16 million Kenyans in the informal sector, and contributes to 20% of the gross domestic product (GDP), this is where Kenya finds itself in, sixty years after independence. Access to innovative financial services and products will be critical to get the youth onboard. This has been a huge disincentive and barrier to entry. Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) research, and that of multiple other think tanks shows that of the total loan book by Kenyan financial institutions, only 3-4% is to agroindustry. This needs to ratchet up and be commensurate with the sector’s contribution, and huge potential for linkages with other sectors of the economy. Govemment can and should derisk the sector. Kenya lags behind peers. in the implementation of the African Union’s (AU) Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and the Malabo declaration to allocate a minimum of 10% of national budgets to the sector.

Lastly, the inter-disciplinary approach and innovation in governance, systems, processes and institutions that Kagwe embraced decades ago is a fit-for-purpose tool that should now deploy. The ministry has over 25 institutions, and more than 60 legal, policy and regulatory instruments. Are all these necessary and efficient? Further there are overlaps, duplication, and gaps. A good example is the Sugar, Coffee, high value nuts, and avocados subsector. in coffee, the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs has mandate over payments, and management of smallholder cooperatives. The National Treasury, and ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment have outsized powers in sugar, fertilizer pricing and importation, and other ‘key’ commodities. To achieve his vision, Kagwe must decide, collectively with his cabinet colleagues, on what the optimal overarching framework is for the best functioning and scaling of the sector is, bearing in mind that agriculture is a devolved function under the 2010 constitution. is there a need for fundamental institutional reform, where, how and when?

Public accountability and robust stakeholder engagement to build trust will be critical in execution, as has been shown by the brewing crisis over the nationwide livestock vaccination program. The constitution, and public interest litigation has settled the question of what stakeholder engagement and public participation are. Nonstate actors, and other stakeholders on the other hand ought to also appreciate the critical role that the private-sector plays not just in this sector, but in the economic fortunes of a majority of Kenyans, and weigh public interest against short-term, mendacious litigation that wastes time, resources and attractiveness of the sector to investment.

Overall, with his laser-like focus on results, and a pragmatic approach, Kenyans expect Kagwe to provide visionary leadership, deliver measurable outcomes, alleviate the suffering of millions of Kenyan farmers and consumers, position Kenya as a leader in sustainable growth and development, and attain food independence in the medium-term. He is more than equal to the task.