Kenya’s agricultural sector, a critical pillar of the country’s economy, is facing a crisis due to a series of proposed bills that threaten to overhaul farming practices.
Several groups have raised concerns about nine controversial bills, claiming they violate over 50 articles of the constitution while increasing regulatory burdens on farmers. According to the Kilimo cha Haki farmers’ advocacy group, these laws would centralize control of Kenya’s agriculture under a singular regulatory body, raising fears of increased costs and restricted autonomy for farmers.
One of the most contentious pieces of legislation is the Agricultural Professionals Licensing Bill, which mandates that anyone involved in farming must obtain certification, requiring at least a diploma in agricultural studies. Failure to comply would result in severe penalties, including a jail term of at least two years or a fine of up to Ksh 500,000. Farmers argue that such stringent requirements will disproportionately affect small-scale farmers who cannot afford formal agricultural education but have been farming for generations.
Other laws, such as the Mung Bean (Ndengu) Bill, the Land Amendment Bill, and the Water Amendment Bill, have also sparked outrage among agriculturalists. These bills regulate the production, safety, and marketing of crops while introducing more licensing and restrictions.
Mary Kathomi of Kilimo cha Haki stated, “These bills are threatening our food security because Kenya is an agricultural country.” She warns that as these regulations impact every factor of production, the cost of food will inevitably rise, pushing millions into food insecurity.
On the legal front, the Kilimo cha Haki group has announced plans to challenge the constitutionality of these bills. Farmers intend to march to the Ministry of Agriculture, Parliament, and the Senate today to protest before filing a petition with the High Court.
Joseph Mwai, an advocate, expressed concerns about the violation of Article 11(3) of the constitution, which mandates the protection of indigenous seeds. “We can’t help but think there’s a malicious push to pass these bills. Parliament is going against the constitution by trying to take control of seed rights away from the communities that depend on them,” he said.
