Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Sen. Mutahi Kagwe, has cautioned that donor-funded livestock projects must be treated with the same seriousness as public debt, stressing that many externally financed facilities are loans that must deliver tangible benefits for farmers, particularly in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).
Speaking during the Joint National Project Steering Committee (NPSC) meeting for World Bank–financed agriculture projects, Kagwe said Kenya must move away from loosely structured donor arrangements and instead implement well-designed, citizen-owned projects anchored in national priorities and sound policy.
“Donor financing is not free money. These are loans, and we must be honest about that. Every livestock project must align with our agenda and produce measurable results for farmers and for this country,” Kagwe said.
The CS cited the recently approved Livestock Value Chain Support Project (LVSP) as a key intervention aimed at transforming livestock production, especially in ASAL counties.
The project targets improved dairy and livestock productivity, reduction of post-harvest losses, and increased farmer incomes through better genetics, feeds and fodder, expanded cold-chain infrastructure, and strengthened farmer organisations.
However, Kagwe raised concern over some procurement items proposed in project plans, including ice cream makers, milk cans and motorbikes, questioning their relevance and sourcing.
He warned against reliance on “tied-aid” arrangements that force procurement from foreign markets when similar goods can be sourced locally.
“We cannot be buying basic items from countries like Poland when they can be sourced locally or better aligned to our needs. Procurement must make economic sense and support the Kenyan industry, especially when serving ASAL communities,” he said.
Kagwe also urged the National Treasury and Economic Planning to work closely with line ministries before negotiating external financing, noting that facilities agreed upon without adequate technical input risk misalignment, inefficiency, and wastage.
Council of Governors’ Agriculture Committee Chair, Bungoma Governor Kenneth Makelo Lusaka, echoed the call for accountability, warning that counties that fail to meet agreed performance benchmarks risk being dropped from donor-funded livestock projects.
“Let us change the lives of farmers, but let us also observe compliance. Counties must perform, or they will be discontinued,” Lusaka said.
Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi, EBS, EGH, underscored the need for prudent use of donor resources to ensure livestock projects translate into real benefits at the grassroots, particularly in pastoral communities.
The meeting, which was also attended by Garissa Governor Nathif J. Adam, EGH, and Principal Secretary Patrick Kilemi of the State Department of Cooperatives, is expected to shape annual work plans and budgets for the 2025/2026 financial year and guide how Kenya deploys external financing to strengthen livestock value chains in ASAL regions.