President Uhuru directives shot in the arm for farmers

The new Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya yesterday hit the ground running, just a day after he was redeployed by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

In the reorganisation of his administration that saw the exit of Mwangi Kiunjuri from the critical Agriculture ministry, the President announced  several measures aimed at revitalising the sector that has been going through difficult times.

Uhuru was responding to numerous pleas for action to not only reverse the worsening fortunes of farmers and ensure food security, but also stem growing disquiet in his political backyard. 

Yesterday, Munya was instant: he raised the price of raw milk from Sh26 to Sh33 and provided money and logistical support to tackle locusts invasion.

He also promised to implement to the letter, and within deadlines, the President’s prescription to cure the woes of tea and coffee farmers.

This is encouraging. It is the wish of Kenyans that more of such diligence in addressing the ills that bedevil the country’s socio-economic and political space, was the norm rather than the exception.

It is unfortunate that State officials, especially Cabinet ministers with capacity, resources, policy and administrative powers, had to wait for the President to intervene.

But again, this is the reality where impunity, corruption, deliberate ineptitude and self-interest reign. 

While the President action is welcome, it is important that a proper framework and policy outlays are rolled out to ensure sustainability.

For instance, it is important to clearly explain how the move to roll out a Sh300 billion infrastructure bond, fast track payment of pending bills, and asking Central Bank to ensure interest rates remain low, will sit with banks.

Challenges also abound on how the proposed 16 per cent levy on imports from outside EAC will help farmers who see long life milk from Uganda as their major competitor.

Hopefully, now with a new sheriff at the helm of the sector, fortunes of tea, coffee, sugar and maize farmers will begin to improve. This is long overdue.

But most importantly, the promise to weed out cartels that reap from where they have not sowed, must be implemented to the letter to ensure farmers gets just returns for their sweat.