Romano Kiome, AIFSD Kenya Chief of Party has urged the national and county governments to coordinate and collaborate to avoid the simmering competition over implementation of agricultural programs and projects. 

Kiome noted that agriculture being devolved function gives county governments the mandate and responsibility to oversee county agricultural development programs. Typically, most agricultural programs and projects are carried out and implemented in the counties. 

‘The national government should therefore concentrate on creating enabling policy and legislative environments, development  of standards, and support capacity building programs for the counties for the development of the agriculture sector and leave the implementation of programs and projects to the county governments, advised Dr Kiome adding, ‘On their part, county governments should focus on implementing programs and projects to support farming, value addition and marketing of agricultural produce. This will further harmonize work operations between the two governments for sustainable development.’

Kiome further urged county governments and governors to prioritize budgetary allocations to the agriculture sector. He encouraged counties to develop mechanisms, to generate revenues to supplement agricultural development programs sufficiently and independently. ‘The substantial funds allocated to county governments by development partners plus the budget from the national government should be able to top up and fully support agricultural programs for better growth and development,’ stated Kiome. 

Kiome noted that AIFSD is focused on strengthening local capacities and accelerating enterprise-driven development, a strategy he believes will spur a vibrant food security system and economic growth.

Kiome made the remarks at the Council of Governors (CoG) consultative meeting on emerging matters in the agriculture sector in Kenya. The meeting was held during  16 and 17 December 2021 in Mombasa. 

Mark Meassick, the Mission Director, USAID Kenya and East Africa reiterated the significance of coordination between the national and county governments in the agriculture sector instead of competition, an issue he asserts that if resolved, can open doors for further development and achievements not only in agriculture but also in other sectors of the economy due to the interdependence between economic and social development, agriculture, and manufacturing.
Martin Wambora, the Chair of CoG  emphasised the need for sustainable collaboration and partnership with national government, development partners and all other stakeholders in the agriculture sector in finding lasting solutions for the issues ailing the sector. 

Wambora, who is also the Governor, Embu  County noted that there are several reforms being undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture, some of which affected the discharge of powers and functions by the County Governments in the context of devolved functions under the Constitution. ‘It will be imperative to examine the policy and legal reforms in the agriculture sector to make the necessary changes required for the benefit of the smallholder farmers and ensure that counties are empowered to offer services effectively. This is in compliance with the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution on functional assignment between the two levels of government and the constitutional requirement that one level of government ought to respect the institutional and functional integrity of the other level of Government, be it in policy or legislative development,’ stated Wambora.

Stephen Sang,  Nandi County Governor noted that the national Government still controls the agriculture sector by making key decisions despite agriculture being devolved. He cited the continued development of a legislative and regulatory framework by the Ministry of Agriculture without involving the county governments.

In his address, Bert Ubamadu, USAID Kenya Deputy Mission Director emphasized the need to come together to identify innovative ways of protecting smallholder farmers from the impact of climate shocks by creating efficient markets, a robust private sector, and better policies, co-ordination, and accountability at all levels. He further added that the US Government is keen on locally led action, and devolution in Kenya is an excellent example of the initiative. Mr. Ubamadu pledged to continue working with the CoG under a Memorandum of Understanding that both parties signed in August 2021, providing a framework for collaboration to achieve shared development goals. 

Joseph Oyuga, USAID representative on Agriculture & Food Security portfolio noted that under the Global Food Security Strategy 2022 - 2026 goal and objectives, Feed the Future’s goal is to sustainably reduce global poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. In Kenya the USAID/KEA’s County Development Cooperation Strategy will be used to spur economic growth by enabling market systems to drive business growth and create jobs; supporting policy assessments in target counties; supporting the County Agricultural Sector Steering Committees; developing the Kenya Livestock Master Plan; and capacity building of CoG’s Agriculture Secretariat.

The governors urged development partners to ensure that all new projects and programs are aligned to the respective County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs). It was also noted that some development partners implement projects at the County Governments without involving the County Governments’ leadership and management. Therefore, it was agreed that henceforth, the CoG will not allow programs or projects that have not been co-created and co-managed with the Council to be implemented in the counties. 

James Nyoro, the Chair of the CoG’s Agriculture Committee appreciated and acknowledged the continuous support and expert advice they have been getting from development and implementing partners, specifically pointing out AIFSD, USAID, World Bank, and International Livestock Research Institute. While applauding the support from development partners, Nyoro who is also the Kiambu County Governor reiterated the need to further integrate more extension practices in the agricultural sector to drive bigger transformational change in the sector. ‘Agricultural projects need to be accosted with formidable agricultural extension practices at the pilot stages,’ stated Nyoro.