I will dismantle cartels at Kilimo House, Agriculture CS nominee Karanja says

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary nominee Andrew Karanja before the Committee on Appointments. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Andrew Karanja, the nominee for Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, has vowed to dismantle cartels operating within the Ministry of Agriculture, vowing to prioritise farmers' interests if confirmed.

Appearing before the Committee on Appointments on Friday, August 2, Karanja, an economist, acknowledged that the said cartels have long crippled the agricultural sector and promised they would soon be out of business.

"If approved by this committee, I am giving notice to cartels that they will be out of business. One of the principles I hold dear is integrity, which will not be compromised. I will deal with them and do whatever it takes," he stated.

The Agriculture CS nominee also emphasised that he would ensure transparency and integrity as a measure to combat cartels at Kilimo House, the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), and other sectors within the ministry.

"We need to establish governance systems and structures and involve all relevant government agencies in fighting these cartels that have terrorized farmers for years, including the recent supply of fake fertilizer," he said.

Karanja, whose net worth is estimated at Sh214 million, denied allegations of ever meeting former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi or serving as his personal assistant, despite widespread claims.

"This one caught me by surprise. For the record, Mr. Speaker sir and honorable members, I have never met the former minister for Agriculture, and I have never been a PA."

He told MPs that he has accumulated wealth from family residences including apartments he owns and leases, land, vehicles, and deposits in his bank accounts.

Karanja further promised to collaborate with county governments to address farmers' issues and decentralise various departments in the ministry, using agro-dealers for fertiliser distribution.

"If I become the next Agriculture CS, I promise to formulate policies and cascade them to the counties. I will engage the counties through intergovernmental structures to improve food production in Kenya," he explained.

Karanja, who holds a Ph.D. in Development Economics and Policy from Wageningen University, also pledged to streamline the 36 parastatals under the Agriculture Ministry, which he claims are not aligned with the sector's priorities.

He promised to implement measures to ensure food security in the country, including continuous tree planting across the counties, extensive research, reviewing agricultural extension services, and employing irrigation to mitigate climate change.

The CS nominee, who would replace Mithika Linturi if approved by Parliament, also holds a Certificate in Development Oriented Research in Agriculture and a Master of Agricultural Economics from the University of Nairobi.