Agriculture
and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Sen. Mutahi Kagwe has called on
county governments across the country to protect Agricultural Society of Kenya
(A.S.K) lands from encroachment and land grabbers.
Speaking on
Friday during the official opening of the 2025 A.S.K Kakamega show, Kagwe
stressed that the property must remain under A.S.K’s control and be made economically
productive.
“A.S.K.
property is public agricultural land and must be safeguarded as such. Counties
should not allow land grabbers or other interests to take over these assets,”
said Kagwe
The CS
emphasised the need for countries to support the transformation of A.S.K grounds
into income-generating, innovation-driven centers for agriculture,
agribusiness, and youth empowerment.
He further
warned individuals and groups involved in the illegal acquisition of public
agricultural land that they will face legal consequences.
Kagwe also
challenged extension officers and agripreneurs to embrace digital tools in
service delivery, stressing that modern agriculture must be data-driven and
tech-enabled.
He cited
soil testing, digitisation of extension services, and real-time access to
market and input information as essential pillars for increasing productivity.
The CS
highlighted key government interventions under the Bottom-Up Economic
Transformation Agenda (BETA), including the distribution of subsidised fertiliser,
increased crop and livestock productivity, revived sugar and tea sectors, and
support for climate-smart agriculture.
He lauded
the Agricultural Society of Kenya for launching its 2025–2029 Strategic Plan
and encouraged the youth to actively engage in agribusiness and innovation
showcased at ASK shows.
Kagwe also
reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working with counties and other
partners to build resilient, commercially viable agriculture across the
country.
