Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohamed has issued a stern warning to Dr. Andrew Mwihia Karanja, the nominee for Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary. Mohamed, who sits on the Parliament’s Committee on Appointments, has cautioned Karanja to be wary of entrenched “cartels” within the ministry. He warned that failure to address these corrupt elements could result in Karanja losing his position within a year.
Mohamed’s comments come amid concerns about the pervasive influence of shadowy figures who have historically manipulated agricultural deals, often to the detriment of Kenyan farmers. According to Mohamed, these so-called cartels have operated with impunity, orchestrating scandals that have led to the downfall of previous ministers. The MP pointed out that Mithika Linturi, the immediate former Agriculture CS, was removed from his position as part of a Cabinet reshuffle by President William Ruto last month. Linturi’s ousting, despite some of his colleagues being reinstated, underscores the perilous environment that Karanja might face.
“The biggest problem in this country, in terms of governance, is the Ministry of Agriculture,” Mohamed asserted. “There have been persistent issues over the last five to seven years, involving previous ministers and even the current nominee. We need to understand how he plans to tackle these entrenched cartels and corruption.”
Mohamed stressed that dealing with corruption requires more than just academic qualifications. He emphasized that Karanja’s PhD does not guarantee success in fighting corruption and called for concrete plans and strategies to address the issue. “Having a PhD and dealing with corruption are two different things,” Mohamed remarked. “We need to see tangible evidence of how he intends to handle these corrupt elements.”
In response, Dr. Karanja assured the committee and the public of his commitment to integrity and transparency. He promised to make it his mission to dismantle the cartels that have plagued the Ministry of Agriculture. Karanja vowed to implement robust governance structures and involve various government agencies to combat corruption effectively.
“I know dealing with cartels is a significant challenge,” Karanja acknowledged. “However, if approved, I am committed to ensuring these entities are ‘put out of business.’ Integrity is a principle I hold dearly, and I will not compromise it for the benefit of a few individuals. My focus will be on protecting the interests of the country and its farmers.”
Karanja outlined his approach to tackling corruption, which includes establishing effective systems, governance frameworks, and collaborating with all relevant agencies. He expressed confidence in the government’s ability to address these challenges and reiterated his dedication to the principles of integrity and public service.
As the vetting process continues, Dr. Karanja faces mounting scrutiny and pressure to demonstrate his capability to navigate the complex landscape of agricultural corruption. The coming months will be critical in determining whether he can fulfill his promises and restore faith in the Ministry of Agriculture. Mohamed’s warning serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes involved and the urgent need for effective reform within the ministry.
