Counties Urged to Prioritize Climate-Smart Agriculture, to Avoid Budget Constraints

By Mbungu Harrison & Mwakwaya Raymond

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Members of Parliament have called on county governments to take full responsibility for implementing climate-smart agriculture and stop blaming limited budgets, but instead make the best of resources allocated to them under devolution system.

Speaking during a Parliamentary Outreach and Public Engagement Program at the Mombasa International Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Show on September 5, 2025, agriculture and livestock parliamentary chairperson John K. Mutunga (Tigania West) emphasized that agriculture is fully devolved and counties must ensure its success.

“Devolution of agriculture is key. There are no agriculture functions retained at the national level, apart from regulation, international trade, crop development, research, and capacity building.

The perception that the national government is holding back functions is misleading.”

The MPs emphasized that with these functions in their jurisdiction, counties were the key drivers of grassroots agricultural transformation and must create enabling environments for productivity and sustainability.

Dr. Mutunga explained that while the national government facilitates international partnerships and broad policy guidelines, the actual implementation and service delivery lie with the counties.

He added that the allocated 15 percent constitutional share of national revenue to counties often falls short, but that should not hinder progress. Instead, counties should leverage donor support and their own policy frameworks to drive food security and youth participation in agriculture.

“Counties must stop playing the victim and take charge of agricultural transformation. We in Parliament are committed to supporting them through legislative frameworks and budgetary allocations.”

The lawmakers stressed the importance of attracting youth to agriculture through modern methods such as mechanisation, digitisation of agricultural systems, and improving access to market information including prices, transport costs, levies, and taxes.

Nyando MP Jared Okelo echoed these sentiments calling for further devolution of remaining agricultural functions to ensure grassroots empowerment.

“Parliament must continue increasing budget allocations to agriculture to support the backbone of our economy and guarantee national food security,” he said.

Marakwet West MP Timothy Kipchumba called for an audit of agricultural laws dating back to independence to ensure relevance and full implementation of the devolved system.

“The agriculture committee must review all legislation since 1963 and assess their impact. Counties must be guided by effective laws to fully actualise agriculture as a devolved function,” he added.

Under the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of Kenya (2010), counties are mandated to perform a wide range of agricultural functions aimed at enhancing food security and promoting rural development.

These responsibilities include the development of crop and animal husbandry, the promotion of irrigation schemes and water harvesting for agricultural use, and the provision of agricultural extension services and farmer training.

Counties are also in charge of regulating livestock sale yards, abattoirs, and animal control, as well as implementing soil and water conservation measures. Additionally, they are expected to promote agribusiness and local value addition to improve market access and increase farmer incomes.

Another key function is the construction and maintenance of rural access roads to facilitate the efficient movement of farm produce from farms to markets. Finally, counties are responsible for controlling plant and animal diseases at the local level, ensuring that outbreaks are promptly addressed to safeguard both human health and agricultural productivity.

This year’s Mombasa ASK show, themed “Promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture for Sustainable Development,” brought together farmers, agribusiness investors, research institutions, development partners, and government agencies to showcase innovative, eco-friendly agricultural practices suited to a changing climate.