KTDA welcomes new Agriculture CS Kagwe, hopes for stable sector

The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Holdings on Friday welcomed the assumption of office of new Agriculture and Livestock Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.

The agency said Mutahi’s swearing-in heralds a new dawn for the sector which is reeling from allegations of political interference in the management of smallholder factories.

“KTDA extends warm congratulations to Hon. Mutahi Kagwe, the newly sworn-in Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture,’’ KTDA said in a post on the X platform.

“We look forward to working closely with your office to enhance the tea sector's growth and sustainability, benefiting over 700,000 smallholder farmers across Kenya.”

The agency said it is ready to work with the ministry’s new leadership to advance the growth of the tea sector in the country.

“Together, we can strengthen agriculture's vital role in Kenya's economy and ensure its long-term success,’’ KTDA said.

During his vetting, Mutahi Kagwe acknowledged the presence of cartels in the agricultural sector.

Kagwe while appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Appointments on Tuesday vowed to dismantle the cartels if appointed to the post.

“I’m quite aware that there are cartels in this ministry. I know cartels fight back. Not only would I expect them to fight me back once I start fighting them, in fact, I’m ready for the battle because I know it’ll come,” he said.

Kagwe reiterated that he will face the cartels head-on, drawing from his experience in dealing with similar challenges at the Ministry of Health.

He expressed confidence that despite the cartels, there are enough people in the ministry, Parliament, and in Kenya who will be supportive of the fight.

At the same time, Kagwe said if approved, there will be a rule of thumb in the ministry that if a product is not being used in its country of origin, it will not be used in Kenya.