Kilimo Cha Haki Opposes Agricultural Bills, Citing Threat to Farmers & Food Security

Kilimo Cha Haki, a civil society group, has launched a campaign urging Members of Parliament to reject several proposed agricultural Bills, claiming they would harm farmers and threaten Kenya’s food security.

The Bills, currently under discussion in the National Assembly, have sparked concern among Kenyans. Led by Mary Kathomi, the group opposes nine Bills introduced in the 13th Parliament, describing them as punitive and unconstitutional. Kathomi argues that the proposed laws undermine food sovereignty and could severely impact the agricultural sector.

“The proposed Bills include the Agriculture and Food Authority Bill, the Livestock Bill, 2024, and the Mung Bean Bill, 2022,” Kathomi said, referring to legislation sponsored by Kimani Ichung’wah, Senators Enoch Wambua, and Paul Nzengu, among others.

The Mung Bean Bill, passed in the Senate, was dropped during its second reading in the National Assembly. Other contentious Bills include the Agriculture Professional Registration and Licensing Bill, the Nuts and Oil Crops Development Bill, 2023, and the Horticultural Crop Authority Bill, 2024.

Kathomi expressed concern about the increasing number of agricultural Bills, noting that 15 state agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture already regulate the sector. She argued that the Bills duplicate existing responsibilities, which these agencies and county governments already manage.

Kilimo Cha Haki maintains that the new laws would impose unnecessary restrictions and infringe on the rights of small-scale farmers and livestock keepers. “These Bills are punitive and unconstitutional because they infringe on our rights as Kenyans,” the group stated.

The group also expressed concern over the lifting of the ban on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Kenya, warning that the Bills could be part of a broader plan to erode the country’s food sovereignty.

Kilimo Cha Haki plans to mobilize Kenyans and legal experts to challenge the Bills in court, aiming to protect farmers’ rights. “We intend to unite Kenyans and lawyers to stop these unconstitutional Bills,” the group announced.

One of the most controversial Bills is the Agricultural Professionals Licensing Bill, which requires anyone involved in farming to obtain certification, with a minimum qualification of a diploma in agricultural studies. Non-compliance could result in penalties, including a two-year jail term or fines of up to Ksh 500,000. Farmers argue that such requirements would disproportionately affect small-scale farmers who lack formal education but have farmed for generations.

The group plans to lead a protest to the Ministry of Agriculture, Parliament, and the Senate before filing a petition in court.

This campaign reflects the growing opposition from civil society as lawmakers continue to debate the future of Kenya’s agricultural sector.