Governors and Senators have rejected agricultural reforms being introduced by Agriculture CS Peter Munya as they warn him against initiating new regulations in the sector without involving county governments.
The lawmakers have instead summoned Munya to appear before them and respond to audit queries.
“The Senate shall summon the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture to elaborate the policy framework that is being applied to undertake the ongoing agricultural reforms by the ministry,” a statement by the senate read in part.
The Council of Governors Committee on Agriculture and that of the Senate met in Mombasa where they deliberated on issues affecting the Agricultural sector.
CoG was led by Governor Muthomi Njuki of Tharaka Nithi who is the current chair of the Agriculture committee and the Senate team was led by Njeru Ndwiga of Embu.
The leaders reviewed the laws governing the sector to ensure conformity with the constitution.
They resolved to reject the gazettement of Sugar and Tea regulations, citing lack of compliance with the Constitution after Munya invited public comments to the five reform bills.
The bills include the Coffee Bill, Fibre Crops Development Authority Bill, Food Crops Development Bill, Horticulture Crops Authority Bill, and the Miraa, Pyrethrum, and Industrial Crops Bill.
The CS claimed that the bills sponsored by the state are part of government efforts to increase farmers’ incomes.
Munyas also complained that value chains as coffee, tea, sugar and pyrethrum have been ignored since t Agriculture and Food Authority was created six years ago.
Governors and Senators have however accused Munya of crafting reforms without meaningful consultations with them.
Senator Ndwiga said they will initiate a legislative review of all the laws in the Agriculture sector introduced before the promulgation of the Constitution.
