Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has emphasized the critical role of agricultural value chains in Kenya’s economic empowerment, stating that revitalizing key value chains is fundamental to the fight against poverty.
Speaking on Monday during a technical briefing on the progress and productivity of priority agricultural value chains, Kindiki highlighted that agriculture accounts for nearly half of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He noted that the sector sustains approximately 90% of Kenyans either directly or indirectly, making it the cornerstone of the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
“Agriculture carries almost half of Kenya’s household incomes. Many Kenyans are involved in farming, livestock keeping, fisheries, or other primary sector activities such as mining. If you combine all these, 90% of the population depends on them for survival,” Kindiki stated.
He reiterated that strengthening agricultural value chains is at the core of Kenya Kwanza’s economic strategy, as it provides a viable pathway to economic transformation, particularly from a bottom-up perspective.
The Deputy President further emphasized the need to improve support infrastructure to enhance the efficiency and profitability of agricultural activities. He pointed out that modernizing critical infrastructure such as roads, electricity, ICT connectivity, water, and market access will significantly boost agricultural productivity and incomes for Kenyans.
“There is critical support infrastructure that must be enhanced. Roads, electricity, ICT connectivity, water, and markets for traders are essential for transforming agricultural value chains. Additionally, Special Economic Zones (SEZs) for industrialization and job creation, as well as County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs), will play a pivotal role in supporting the sector,” he explained.
Kindiki stressed the importance of continuously tracking progress in increasing productivity and generating employment within priority agricultural value chains. He affirmed that this monitoring would ensure that the targets set under the Kenya Kwanza Plan – BETA (2022-2027) are met.
The meeting, attended by key government department heads and agency representatives, underscored the administration’s commitment to modernizing agriculture as a means of driving economic transformation and improving livelihoods across the country.
