Ministry hands over project implementation to governors

By LYDIAH NYAWIRA

Nyeri, Kenya: The Ministry of Agriculture has handed over implementation of all sector development deals involving counties to the county governments.

PS Romano Kiome said all donors and partners who had pledged support for agricultural programmes through grants or technical support would now work with the governors to implement the agreements made with the central government.

Speaking during the launch of Agricultural Sector Development Support Programme (ASDSP) in Nyeri, Kiome said the programmes will boost development in the counties.

“Some of the agreements the central government had signed are supposed to be implemented at the county level and this is why we are handing them over to governors,” said Kiome.

This is expected to give the county governments opportunity to benefit directly from the deals that concern the devolved units, said the PS.

“As part of devolution, all agricultural staff working at the district level are going to be redeployed to the county governments beginning July 1. They will be answerable to governors,” Kiome said.

Nyeri County Governor Nderitu Gachagua applauded the launch of the programme, saying Nyeri county government was working closely with stakeholders and farmers to introduce modern ways of farming.

He said he had been holding meetings with stakeholders to improve various sectors of the economy. “The Nyeri economy is agriculture-oriented with strong focus on coffee, tea, dairy and horticultural farming,” he said.

He said the projects would be implemented within four to five years.

Kiome, who was accompanied by Swedish ambassador to Kenya Johan Borgstam, toured various stands where agriculture-based businesses that have benefitted from the programme were showcasing their products to farmers.

In his address, the ambassador promised that the Swedish government would fund the ASDPS programme  to a tune of Sh5 billion and said there would be a zero tolerance policy on corruption involving donor funds even as they look forward to  dealing with county governments.

The PS also noted that the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) Bill, which is currently on the floor of the House, would undergo amendments to turn the AFC into a fully fledged bank.

Various firms such as Equity Bank, Brade Gate Poultry Industries, Dedan Kimathi University and AFC exhibited at the ASDSP launch.