Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua met with Cabinet Secretaries Wycliffe Oparanya and Andrew Karanja on Monday at his Karen residence to address concerns in the agricultural and entrepreneurship sectors. In a press statement, Gachagua pledged his support for the two leaders, urging state agencies to expedite reforms, particularly in the tea, coffee, and dairy sub-sectors.

“Food security is one of the pillars of Kenya Kwanza, and I encourage you to support the government in achieving this goal. Let us build a strong economy for a stronger country,” Gachagua stated, emphasizing the need for collaboration between the ministries.

He called for the involvement of farmers in the reform agenda, focusing on policy changes, sustainable practices, and crop marketing. Gachagua also challenged the newly elected directors of the Kenya Tea Development Authority (KTDA) to enhance leadership and reduce production costs, stating, “We are spending too much money on production to the detriment of the farmer.”

The Deputy President expressed concern over the decline in coffee production, attributing it to mismanagement and exploitation by cooperative societies. “When farmers did not get returns commensurate with their efforts, they neglected the crop,” he noted, highlighting the need for improved pricing and motivation for farmers.

The meeting included members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and other key stakeholders, reinforcing the government’s commitment to revitalizing the agricultural sector.