Kenyans and agricultural experts have raised concerns about several proposed bills currently under review by the National Assembly and the Senate. They emphasize the importance of public participation to ensure that all stakeholders’ views are considered.
Among the contentious bills are the Livestock Bill, 2024; the Price Control (Essential Goods) Amendment Bill, 2024; and the Mung Bean Bill, 2022. Some farmers fear these bills may be a way to introduce additional taxes, potentially leading to double taxation since they already face significant taxes on farm inputs.
Specifically, the Livestock Bill and the Mung Bean Bill propose the registration of farmers, a measure that has met resistance from many small-scale farmers. Last month, the National Assembly withdrew the Livestock Bill 2024 to allow the State Department of Livestock to conduct thorough public participation.
Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah informed the House of the need to involve all stakeholders in the legislative process. He wrote to the Livestock Principal Secretary, urging public engagement before the Bill is reintroduced in Parliament.
Ichung’wah explained that the withdrawn Bill aims to advance the livestock sector by regulating inputs and products, promoting research and capacity building, and establishing livestock training agencies. He acknowledged the public’s concerns about the Bill and stressed the importance of ensuring that the public understands the legislation’s implications and has the opportunity to provide feedback.
Livestock PS Jonathan Mueke has been tasked with consulting stakeholders, including livestock farmers, industry players, and civil society organizations, to gather input on the proposed legislation. The ministry will then submit a report to the National Assembly detailing the outcomes of this public consultation.
Ichung’wah’s letter to the PS stated, “Upon completion of the sensitisation process, we shall await your further guidance on whether the Bill should be withdrawn for more consultations, revised and republished for Parliamentary consideration, or proceed with public and stakeholder comments incorporated.”
The Mung Bean Bill, introduced by Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, has also come under scrutiny. Critics are questioning the need for mandatory registration of mung bean farmers in a country already struggling with food insecurity and high poverty rates.
Senator Wambua has defended the Bill, stating that its purpose is to regulate and promote the mung bean industry in Kenya. He addressed concerns by pointing out that there has been misleading information circulated in the media and on social platforms regarding the Mung Bean Bill, 2022.
According to Wambua, the Bill requires small and medium-sized mung bean farmers to register with the relevant county executive, a practice already common for other crops like tea and coffee.
“This registration, as outlined in Clause 8 (2) of the Bill, helps the government maintain a register of mung bean growers. It also records the location, size and variety of the crop, and assess crop capacity within counties and the country,” he said.
Senator Wambua clarified that licensing under the Mung Beans Bill is only required for entities involved in marketing, processing, or large-scale trading of mung beans. The Mung Beans Bill, 2022, was published on December 30, 2022, and had its first reading in the Senate on February 15, 2023. It was passed by the Senate and referred to the National Assembly on February 21, 2024.
The Price Control (Essential Goods) Amendment Bill, 2024, has also faced criticism, with stakeholders warning that it could lead to public panic. Critics argue that price control measures are ineffective in a free market and should be guided by supply and demand.
Timothy Njagi, a senior researcher at the Tegemeo Institute, noted, “Price control can only work if there is sufficient stock with the Strategic Food Reserve. For staple foods, using SFR stock to stabilize prices requires significant volumes.”
The Bill proposes price controls on essential goods like maize, unga, wheat flour, sugar, and rice. It seeks to empower the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary to fix prices to stabilize the cost of living and prevent sudden price fluctuations that could harm purchasing power and consumer welfare.
Another bill currently before the National Assembly is the Agricultural Professionals Registration and Licensing Bill, 2024. This Bill proposes the licensing and registration of all agriculture professionals to regulate the standards and practices within the profession. It also outlines the establishment, powers, and functions of the Agricultural Professionals Registration and Licensing Board.
