Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said announced a paradigm shift in government's foreign policy, where Kenyan ambassadors and high commissioners will be required to take active roles in promoting Kenyan products.
He said Kenyan envoys will have to commit themselves when they meet with President William Ruto that they will ensure Kenyan products do well in countries they are serving in, to boost the country's economy.
Last month Gachagua said Ambassadors and High Commissioners who will be appointed under the Kenya Kwanza government will sign an MoU for 2 years on what they are expected to do in terms of creating markets and enlarging existing markets.
The DP said those who will not deliver will be recalled.
DP Rigathi Gachagua: The Ambassadors and High Commissioners who will be appointed will sign an MoU for 2 years on what we expect them to do in terms of creating markets and enlarging existing markets. Those who will not deliver will be recalled pic.twitter.com/UqNurbTAIq - The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) September 28, 2022
He said this after flagging off the last consignment of fertiliser worth Sh4.4 billion at the Auto Ports Freight Terminals in Nairobi to be distributed in tea producing counties. He also promised that their administration is focused on sorting out the mess in the agriculture sector.
"The only way we can sort out the economic mess we are in as a country, is by empowering the agricultural sector of which President William Ruto is fully committed to achieve in the next few months and requires the support of all Kenyans," said Gachagua.
He said the tea sector earned the country Sh136 billion as foreign exchange in 2021 and they expect the earning to reach Sh150 billion in 2022. He also said the government will not allow anyone to mess up with this crucial sector.
Gachagua said the tea sector supports about seven million Kenyans indirectly hence the reason the government subsidised fertiliser by Sh3.7 billion that led to reduction of prices from Sh6,500 to Sh 3,500 per bag to enable more farmers afford it.
The DP said they are looking at long term solutions and not quick fixes to the economy adding that some subsidies will not be sustainable in the long run.
"Dr Ruto is not going to allow anyone derail the tea sector and that is why we are asking tea factory directors who lost in elections held last year to allow those who succeeded them to perform," said Gachagua.
He said they are looking forward to implementation of several Acts in the tea sector whose non activation has negatively impacted on tea trade which in turns lowers farmers' earnings with expectations that when things get better they will get between Sh17 to Sh21 as bonus per kilo.
Gachagua assured tea farmers that in one year they should see fruits in the sector if all the measures that the government has put in place for its success are adhered to by all stakeholders.
The Deputy President said the reforms introduced by the government to improve the tea sector will be adhered to so as to boost the agricultural sector.
"We were elected on a platform of championing the interests of farmers. Once we have a new Agriculture Cabinet Secretary we will roll out countrywide programmes to improve farming," said Gachagua.
He said the President is hands on matters of agriculture and is an expert having served as minister in that crucial docket.
