Nairobi, 16 January 2020- Responding to the cabinet reshuffle by President Uhuru Kenyatta, Greenpeace Africa’s Senior Political Advisor, Fredrick Njehu has said:
“The appointment of Hon. John Munya as the new cabinet secretary in charge of Agriculture, Livestock, and Cooperatives replacing the outgoing CS Mwangi Kiunjuri, is a decision that should bring hope to the millions of smallholder farmers in the country. This is a sector whose potential remains largely untapped.
“Hon. Munya is credited for stimulating the growth potential of Meru county during his tenure as the governor. He had an eye for the agriculture sector while at the helm of Meru county.
“Hon Munya is a man whose plate in the Ministry is already full. Currently, Kenya’s agriculture sector is grappling with a myriad of challenges including low prices of agricultural goods, increased cost of production and lack of affordable credit that can boost production. The use of toxic chemicals in food production, dumping of cheap agricultural products and lack of coordination between national and county government institutions are some of the major challenges facing the sector.
“Hon. Munya’s appointment to the Ministry should enlist priorities that can transform the agriculture sector as a big 4 item in the current administration’s agenda in a more accountable and transparent manner. Greenpeace Africa calls for decisive action, and for Hon. Munya to ensure that smallholder farmers are at the center of key decisions being made in the agriculture sector.”
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