NTA officials, led by CEO Patrick Nyangweso, when they appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries
Senators and tax lobby groups are set to convene a national economic forum next year to review how taxation and governance in Kenya’s agricultural sector can be strengthened.
This follows a meeting between the National Taxpayers Association (NTA) and the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, where both sides agreed on the need for deeper collaboration in improving oversight and service delivery in the sector.
During the session, NTA proposed a structured partnership on issues such as agricultural monitoring, livestock and fisheries governance, citizen engagement, and policy evaluation.
Senators noted that many of the areas highlighted align with the committee’s legislative oversight role.
To advance the discussion, the senators suggested holding a joint forum in 2026 to refine the partnership framework and bring together sector stakeholders for broader consultations.
NTA also announced plans for a National Economic Dialogue in 2026, positioning agriculture as a key pillar of economic growth.
“NTA is in the process of developing a County Competitiveness Index, which will assess and rank counties based on governance and economic performance indicators. This tool aims to promote healthy competition among counties while improving transparency and accountability in public service delivery,” said NTA Chief Executive Officer Patrick Nyangweso.
The dialogue aims to influence policy at both national and county levels, with a focus on value addition and stronger value chains.
At the county level, the lobby group is developing a County Competitiveness Index that will rank counties based on governance and economic indicators. The index is intended to encourage better performance and transparency in public service delivery.
Senators further pointed to the need for improved citizen engagement under the Mashinani Initiative, noting NTA’s ability to convene grassroots and policy stakeholders. The committee said the lobby could help bridge gaps between farmers, the public, and government institutions.
NTA cited its work in Nandi County—where community networks and ward-level forums have been used to strengthen accountability—as an example of how citizen-led oversight can improve service delivery.
Both parties committed to exploring a formal partnership aimed at enhancing governance, boosting agricultural productivity, and ensuring inclusive policy-making across the sector.
